China is to build a full-on highway all the way to
Everest Base Camp on the northern side of the mountain as part
of the preparations for the Olympics.
Reports say that the highway will be a 'black-top tarmac route
with guardrails' running right up to 5200 metres at the base of the
world's highest mountain. Its initial purpose is to ease the passage
of the Olympic torch relay to the mountain, where it will be carried
to the summit, but after the games it will open up the mountain for
tourists and mountaineers.
Base Camp on the Tibetan side of the mountain is already
accessible by vehicle, but it's a rough, unmade road. The new
£10 million project is a far more serious undertaking and should allow coachloads of senior citizens to access the mountain with ease.
More details at www.guardian.co.uk
and news.bbc.co.uk
Gregory Cain
