Climbing to the summit of Mount Everest is a lifelong dream for many mountaineers. However, due to the rugged terrain, harsh weather, and numerous dangers along the way, the path to the summit is fraught with peril. Now, reports have emerged of a massive "death zone" traffic jam, forcing climbers to wait for hours in long queues. This week, at least seven climbers have tragically lost their lives on the descent.
According to reports from international media, since the reopening of Everest summits on the 22nd, at least six climbers and one Nepalese guide have died. The six climbers included three Indians, one Austrian, one Irishman, and one American. Most of them perished on the descent, unable to make it home after reaching the summit.
Climber Nirmal Purja posted a photo on Facebook on the 23rd showing a long queue of about 320 people on the Everest summit route, sparking widespread discussion. Media outlets have pointed out that the traffic jam on Everest poses fatal risks to climbers, with some even directly linking the congestion to climber deaths.
CNN reported that the summit of Everest stands at an altitude of 8,848 meters, where the oxygen level in the air is only one-third of that at sea level. In such conditions, the human body quickly becomes unable to cope, meaning climbers can usually only stay at the top for a very short time before needing to descend.
However, the long wait in the queue before reaching the summit also drains climbers' energy and oxygen reserves. The BBC quoted German climber Ralf Dujmovits as saying that the long lines of people waiting to summit pose significant danger. Climbers may use up a large amount of oxygen while queuing, leaving them without enough for the descent.
He also noted that poor weather conditions, such as strong winds exceeding 15 kilometers per hour, can accelerate oxygen consumption. "Your body gets cold so quickly, and without oxygen, it’s simply impossible." He added that oxygen cylinders are sometimes stolen at such high altitudes, stating that stealing oxygen at this elevation is "literally killing people."
Traffic jams on the Everest summit route are not new, especially during climbing season, when such occurrences are relatively common. Local guide Mingma Sherpa stated that climbers typically wait 20 minutes to 1.5 hours in line before reaching the top, with wait times depending on the weather. If there is a week of good weather, the queues are not as long. However, if good weather only lasts 2–3 days, the summit route becomes extremely crowded.
The congestion is not only weather-dependent. In recent years, Everest has become a popular climbing destination, attracting a large number of mountaineers, which has also contributed to the crowding.
Local guide Norbu Sherpa pointed out that the most dangerous part of the journey is actually the descent. Many climbers, after reaching the summit and seeing the crowds on the way down, lose focus and physical stamina. They can no longer concentrate on the return journey. He said he has lost many friends on the descent over the years.
In response to media claims that traffic jams have led to the deaths of Everest climbers, Nepal's Tourism Director Danduraj Ghimire dismissed the reports as "baseless," emphasizing that most climbers die from altitude sickness.