Adventure Alternative Everest SE Ridge Expedition

Website: www.everestpost.com

Route: South East Ridge

Gavin Bate

EXPEDITION CANCELLED

I have decided to postpone my expedition this year to Mount Everest following the chaos that has ensued since the Chinese authorities decided to close the north side of the mountain to all but their own climbers.

I have been on the phone every day to 'my man in Kathmandu' who was stationed at the offices of the Nepalese Ministry of Tourism throughout the last week, and the reports from him have been nothing but astonishing.

The lack of clarity notwithstanding, to my mind it is quite impossible to consider an expedition to Everest with any sort of restrictions in place.

One of these is a media blackout, with the Nepalese insisting that all satellite phones be handed in at Base Camp to a patrolling liaison officer! Call me old-fashioned, but I would rather enjoy my climbing trips, rather than feel browbeaten and humiliated.

There is a very strong feeling that although the Nepalese authorities have indicated that there will be no restrictions, the pressure on them will increase as the weeks go by and the news from Tibet becomes even more inflammatory. Who knows what will happen once everyone is sitting at base camp?

Gavin Bate

Source: www.adventurealternative.com