Expedition operators on Mount Everest said yesterday that Chinese mountaineering officials will not allow spring climbs from their side of the mountain due to fears of the coronavirus.
On the others side of the mountain in Nepal, operators say cancellations for the popular spring climbing season have been pouring in despite the mountain being open for business.
Dawa Shepra of Kathmandu-based Climbalaya Treks and Expeditions said the officials told them though the virus was getting under control in China, they could not risk bringing in foreign climbers.
He said the conversation with the China Tibet Mountaineering Association officials was over the phone and no official emails, faxes or messages were sent.
Jiban Ghimire of Shangrila Nepal Trek also said he spoke on the phone with Chinese officials who said there would be no climbing on Everest during this year’s popular spring climbing season.
Climbers using the northern route in China generally uses operators based in Nepal to equip and manage the expeditions.
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