China to draw âseparation lineâ on peak of Mount Everest
China will draw a separation line atop Mount Everest to prevent the coronavirus from being spread by climbers ascending Nepalâs side of the mountain, Chinese state media reported Monday. A team of Tibetan mountaineering guides will set up the separation line at the peak before climbers attempt to reach the summit from the Chinese side, state-owned Xinhua News Agency said.
It is not clear what the separation line will be made of. The climbers ascending the north side of the mountain from China will be prohibited from crossing the line or coming into contact with anyone or any objects on the south, or Nepalese, side. Nepalese government and mountaineering officials did not immediately comment on the separation line.
Highlights
It aims to prevent COVID-19 transmission from Nepal s side
It is unclear what will the line be made of
New Delhi: In a bid to prevent the import of COVID-19, China is going to create a “line of separation” at the top of Mount Everest that will set apart climbers from the Chinese side from those from Nepal’s side.
For this purpose a team of Tibetan mountaineering guides will create the separation line at the world’s highest mountain peak before the climbers reach the top, Chinese state-owned Xinhua News Agency said on Monday (May 10).
It is, however, unclear what will the line be made of. The climbers ascending the north side of the mountain from China will be prohibited from crossing the line to avoid contact with anyone from the south or the Nepalese side.
2021-05-11 02:35:36 GMT2021-05-11 10:35:36(Beijing Time) Xinhua English
KATHMANDU, May 11 (Xinhua) As Nepal is scrambling to find enough oxygen for a swelling number of COVID-19 patients, the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) has also taken the initiative to collect oxygen cylinders from mountaineers.
According to the association, around 5,000 oxygen cylinders are being used by mountaineers for climbing the world s tallest Mt. Qomolangma and other Himalayan peaks at the moment.
The cylinders with mountaineers are light in weight, portable and can supply oxygen for three to four hours to the climbers at a high altitude, according to expedition organizers.
Office bearers of the NMA said they are holding discussions with expedition organizing companies about the possibility of the mountaineers handing over their cylinders.
Nepal s government and mountaineering officials did not immediately comment on the separation line.
Both countries suspended the climbing season on the world s highest mountain last year due to the pandemic. Nepal has issued permits allowing 408 foreigners to attempt climbs this year as it tries to boost tourism revenue.
China has issued permits to 38 people to climb on Mount Everest this year. Xinhua said 21 Chinese climbers were approved to attempt to reach the summit from the northern slope. A separate group of 17 climbers has also received permits to hike on the northern slope.
While China has mostly curbed domestic transmission of the virus, Nepal is experiencing a surging outbreak with record numbers of new infections and deaths in recent days. Most major cities and towns are under lockdown and all domestic and international flights are grounded.
China to draw separation line on peak of Mount Everest
May 10, 2021
FacebookTwitterEmail 3
1of3In this aerial photo released by Xinhua News Agency, the Mount Qomolangma, also known as Mount Everest, base camp is seen on May 25, 2020. China will draw a “separation line” atop Mount Everest to prevent the coronavirus from being spread by climbers ascending from Nepal s side of the mountain, Chinese state media reported Monday, May 10, 2010. (Purbu Zhaxi/Xinhua via AP)Purbu Zhaxi/APShow MoreShow Less
2of3FILE - In this Nov. 12, 2015, file photo, Mt. Everest is seen from the way to Kalapatthar in Nepal. China will draw a “separation line” atop Mount Everest to prevent the coronavirus from being spread by climbers ascending Nepal s side of the mountain, Chinese state media reported Monday.Tashi Sherpa/APShow MoreShow Less