Age limits for climbing Mt Everest
Recent summit attempts of teenagers have caused a lot of debate in the climbing community. In 2001, sixteen year old Temba Tseri Sherpa (Nepali boy) became the youngest climber to summit Everest, although he lost a few fingers and toes because of frostbite. Last spring (May 2010) the record was taken by Jordan Romero, who ascended World’s highest mountain at the age of 13!
As a response to the tendence of taking very young climbers above the Death Zone (plans were already there to bring a 11-year old next spring), the China Tibet Mountaineering Association (CTMA) has issued new regulations since 2 weeks for climbing Mt Everest. As from June 10th (2010), two age limits will be set to climb Everest from the north side: a minimum age of 18, and a max of 60. Exceptions can be made for climbers providing positive medical records but 16 will still be the absolute lowest limit according to CTMA.
The CTMA’s decision was welcomed by the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), who already set a minimum age of 16 after Temba’s summit push. In Nepal the maximum age to climb Everest is not restricted.
Pro or con? Let us know…
Nepal against China…
Correct, it’s all about Mt Everest, laying at the border of Nepal and Tibet. And since Tibet has been ‘mastered’ by China… at the border of China as well. The discussion is all about the height of this giant, goddess and gold mine as well.
Quite simple; China is measuring the rock height, while Nepal is targeting at rock + snow height!
The question remains…. Who is right here…? You tell me… At least both countries now accepted eachothers measurements and vision. However, they still didn’t come to an agreement which height will be adopted by both of them. That will probably take another 10 years, or more 
!!!
– Adopted from the Kathmandu Post, April 8th 2010
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Eveline Wessels
