Anticipations indicate that this year’s spring climbing season on the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, will see a record number of climbers embarking on their journey to the summit. According to Explorer’s Web, the number of permits issued for summit climbs is expected to surpass the 2023 record of 478 this year. Asian Trekking, one of the tour companies organizing summit expeditions, announced that the Indian army will have 3 groups with a minimum of 40 individuals each climbing this year, while 8K Expeditions revealed that over 50 of their clients, and Seven Summit Treks over 100, have been granted climbing permits. The Alpmon internet blog noted that around 500 people are currently present at the Everest base camp, and hundreds more are expected to join them within the next two weeks.

In 2023, a total of 478 climbers applied to climb Everest, marking a record year for permit issuance, while 2018 was recorded as the most active year for summit climbs with 800 individuals reaching the summit. Since Nepali mountain guides known as Sherpas reach the summit alongside foreign climbers, each year more individuals reached the summit than the number of applicants due to this collaboration. Sherpas do not require permits for climbing.

BRITISH MOUNTAINEERS PREPARE FOR ASCENT FILLED WITH XENON GAS
Mountaineers aiming to reach the world’s highest peak at 8,848 meters, Everest, must first ensure that their bodies acclimatize to the high altitude, a process called “acclimatization.” Most climbers prepare for the high-altitude conditions by engaging in long-distance mountain hikes towards the Everest base camp or summiting peaks in lower mountains. Certain climbers opt to climb other 8,000-meter peaks that see the climbing season commence earlier and then head to the Everest base camp to attempt a quick summit without delay. For example, 40 mountaineers who climbed Annapurna Mountain in Nepal this year are planning to summit Everest as well.

A notable detail this year includes a group of British mountaineers who are preparing for the ascent by breathing in xenon gas to acclimate to high altitudes. This group, consisting of Alastair Carns, Anthony Stazicker, Garth Miller, and Kevin Godlington, aims to complete the entire ascent in one week without spending much time on the mountain thanks to the elevation of red blood cell values caused by xenon gas.

PLANNING TO ASCEND WITHOUT OXYGEN SUPPORT
Observers note that the number of mountaineers planning to climb Everest without oxygen support has decreased this year. Thus far, only 4 climbers have announced that they will attempt to reach the summit relying solely on their own lung capacity without additional oxygen support. Mountain runners Tyler Andrews and Karl Egloff, who aspire to achieve the “fastest known ascent” on Everest, will refrain from using oxygen supplementation. Meanwhile, experienced Russian mountaineer Valery Babanov and Polish climber Marcin Miotk plan to ascend Everest and Lhotse, respectively, without oxygen support. At 60 years old, Babanov aims to become the oldest mountaineer to successfully climb Everest without supplemental oxygen.

JUMPING WITH A WINGED FLIGHT SUIT
It was reported that Tim Howell from the UK intends to try base jumping from the slopes of Lhotse Mountain this year, just as he did last year, using a wingsuit for flight. Leading a team with British mountaineer Jon Gupta, Howell aims to set a record as the individual to perform this type of flight from the highest point in the world by flinging himself southward off the mountain’s slope. Another adventurer from the UK, Mitch Hutch, plans to cover the 12,000-kilometer route from his country to the Everest base camp by running, swimming, and biking without trimming his beard. Hutch has reached the closest settlement to the base camp, Lobuche village, and is expected to arrive at the camp shortly. Throughout his journey, Hutch aims to climb Everest guided by Gelje Sherpa from AGA Adventures.