As Climbers Return to Everest, an Already Dangerous Ascent Becomes Extra Perilous Nepal, desperate for tourist money, says it has taken steps to prevent a coronavirus outbreak, including social distancing at base camp and evacuation plans in case Covid-19 flares up. Bahrain’s Everest expedition climbers working out at a gym in Kathmandu, Nepal, before heading to the Everest region.Credit...Uma Bista for The New York Times April 4, 2021, 11:57 a.m. ET KATHMANDU, Nepal — Mark Pattison played wide receiver for three National Football League teams in the 1980s. Now he wants to fulfill another dream: to climb all seven of the world’s highest peaks, including Mount Everest.