Everest expedition may be cancelled for the season

It is peak climbing season in Everest and climbers are still wary about climbing the peak after 13 people were killed in an avalanche. Three people are still missing and four are feared dead after

the deadliest accident on the Everest.

The climbing companies, Alpine Ascents International and the Seattle-based company which has already lost two sherpas have decided to call off all expeditions to the Everest after the avalanche.

This may come as disappointing to many climbers but Gordon Janow, a founding member of Alpine Ascents said that he was not looking for profits as the safety of the passengers is of the greatest importance.

However, there are some companies who are still considering whether to send climbers to the Everest as they are not too keen to miss the peak climbing season.  Madhu Sudan Burlakoti, chief of the Tourism Industry Division of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation is in a quandy and cannot take a firm decision at this point. The avalanche took place just above base camp in the Khumbu Ice Fall.

The original path which the climbers took has been destroyed by the avalanche. A new path needs to be formed. Also the shepas are at a disadvantage, as being out of business in the tourist season would mean that their families will suffer as some are the only bread winners of their family.

Sherpas make up to US$6,000 per season. They also usually get a summit bonus if their clients reach the top of the 8,848-meter (29,000-feet) mountain.

About 334 foreign climbers have been given permission to climb Everest over the next couple of months, with an estimated 400 guides helping them.

The sherpas decided they want to be paid in full even if the climbs are abandoned. Foreign climbers spend between $40,000 and $90,000 each in their attempt to scale the mountain.

It will be up to the climbers whether they want to pay the sherpas for abandoned climbs, said Dambar Parajuli, president of the Expedition Organizers Association.

The government has so far paid Rs. 40,000 ($662) to the families of the 13 dead to cover the funeral expenses; the expedition operators want Rs. 1 million each from the government as the government earn $3 million from royalties on Everest in every season.