MountEverest.net has posted the new climbing fees and regulations for the upcoming 2007 season on the North side. Starting next year, the Sherpa's will cost $1700, a $500 increase, while kitchen staff will go up to $1100 from $800 each. Furthermore, the cost of a permit to climb is now $4900 per person, without the possiblity of a group discount. The article explains how in years past, larger groups could bring that cost down to about $4000 per person, but the Chinese have see fit to do away with the discount altogether.
Apparently these new fees are being handed down directly from the Chinese Government who say they are mainly due to some special 2008 Olympic Program, but I haven't seen any indication what those programs will be. We have heard of plans to take the Olympic Torch to the summit in 2008, with a test run being conducted this season, but I'm not sure why that would impact these fees. Perhaps we'll learn more as the season approaches.
No comments:
Post a Comment