18 Feb 2026

Ban considered for amateur climbers attempting to scale Everest

From Checkpoint, 5:21 pm on 18 February 2026

There could soon be a ban on amateur climbers attempting to scale Mount Everest in a bid to ease congestion and discourage extreme selfie hunters with little or no experience taking on the challenge. Nepal's government is looking at new rules that would require climbers to have previously summited a seven-thousand-metre-high mountain before attempting Everest. Wanaka based Adventure Consultants takes climbers up Everest, and General manager Caroline Ogle spoke to Lisa Owen.