The peak glistens above the sunbathed skies as the powder below spreads for miles across its faces. At the base of this behemoth lies the beginning of an unparalleled adventure; an adventure so dangerous, so awe-inspiring that it attracts the bravest, most ambitious people from around to the world to conquer its magnificence. What else could describe summiting Mount Everest?
Mount Everest obtained its world-famous name from George Everest, a retired surveyor general of India. The peak reaches the highest terrenial altitude on Earth at a breathtaking 29,035 feet — the equivalent of nearly 20 Empire State buildings stacked atop one another. Everest rests in the Himalayan mountain range and severs the border between Nepal and China’s Tibet. Nearly 4,000 brave individuals have attempted to summit Everest, but only 660 have succeeded. One hundred and forty-two climbers have not returned.
Decades ago, the Nepali side of Mt. Everest enacted strict regulations barring anyone under 16 from attempting to climb the mountain. However Jordan Romero, a young 13 year-old boy with a limitless passion for mountaineering, refused to let the restriction stand in the way of his dream. So Jordan traveled to the unrestricted Tibetan side of Everest. Unfortunately, Tibet’s summit path proves much more difficult and dangerous. Compared to those taking the Nepal route, climbers taking the Tibet route are twice as likely to die. But for Romero, the heightened risk of death could not deter him from achieving his dream, and in 2010, at only 13 years old, Jordan Romero officially became the youngest climber ever to summit Mount Everest.
In response to Jordan’s astounding feat, on June 18, 2010, Tibet mimicked Nepal and imposed two age limits: climbers must be older than 18 but younger than 60. If violated, trespassers may face steep fines of up to $140,000 and even possible imprisonment. Fortunately, older climbers may still seek refuge in the Nepali routes up Everest, but for climbers younger than 16, the combination of Nepal’s and Tibet’s recently imposed restrictions make it illegal to climb the mountain anywhere. So for Tseten Sherpa, a nine- year old third grader preparing to summit Everest, the only path that remains is the path less — or rather, never — traveled.
These restrictions may prevent unnecessary deaths. For the most part, young children have not yet physically matured enough to handle the hardships of Everest. And it is true that older climbers face high risks of death because their bodies have often withered too much to endure severe physical strains. But despite these arguments, young and old climbers like Jordan Romero and 80-year old Yuichiro Miura have successfully summited Everest. The question then remains: Do Nepal and Tibet really have jurisdiction over determining the age at which people can climb Mt. Everest, a natural wonder of the world?
I would argue they do not. Unlike some man-made wonders, such as the pyramids in Chichen Itza — which severely restrict viewer’s actions — Mount Everest is a part of nature itself, and just like the men and women that freely explore the Grand Canyon’s caves or dive into the waters of Victoria Falls, people should feel free to experience Mount Everest, regardless of the dangers.
Some restrictions on natural wonders are necessary. For example, national parks often impose strict regulations regarding grass fires to protect the environment. However in the case of Mount Everest, age restrictions do not seek to prevent further harm to the mountain. They may protect certain climbers from death, but more notably they protect both governments from undesirable lawsuits and accusations.
Humans, regardless of the dangers, hardships and legal limitations they may face, will accomplish their goals. They will endure, persevere and push their bodies and minds further than ever before in order to accomplish their dreams. Unfortunately, this fiery passion may now lead Everest climbers towards a more probable death. As we are now seeing with nine year old Tseten Sherpa, age restrictions cannot and will not deter ambitious climbers. The heightened risk of death means nothing, for “If there’s a will, there’s a way.”
Nepal and Tibet should permanently revoke any and all age restrictions. Perhaps both countries could implement mandatory waivers which, when signed, forfeit climber’s rights to litigate, but under no circumstances should Nepali and Tibetan officials control who may climb the mountain. Mount Everest is a natural wonder of the world and as people of this Earth, we have a right to explore the natural beauties around us. Certainly Nepal and Tibet may control the flux of climbers — as to minimize mountain traffic — but they may never permanently prohibit a climber’s expedition, regardless of their experience level. The mountain is not Tibet’s nor Nepal’s to control. It is the earth’s and only the earth’s. Humans are simply tourists.
Nate Menninger is a Viewpoint Writer.
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