It's an unusual year for Everest, normally at about this
time we'd be carrying the odd story about expeditions on the world's
highest mountain, but this year things are different thanks to the
determination of the Chinese to carry the Olympic flame to the
summit.
It's hard to work out precisely what's happening because the
Chinese have instituted a blanket new black-out on the mountain. Not
only on the Tibetan side of things - where the mountain is closed -
but also in Nepal, where one Everest
site is reporting that the Nepalese Army searched tents at
Base Camp confiscating satellite phones, radios, PDAs, lap-tops and
other electronic equipment.
Reports say that climbers- including Ranulph Fiennes - will not be permitted to proceed beyond
Camp 2 on the mountain at least until 10 May and possibly longer as
the Chinese annex as much time as possible to climb the mountain with
flame. Even trekkers in the area are required to surrender mobiles
and cameras before completing the final leg of the trek up to Base
Camp - below.
British company Jagged Globe has teams on the mountain right now,
but their most recent full despatch
is from 13 April when they report that teams on the Nepal side of the
mountain were meeting to decide how best to cooperate with the
Nepalese authorities' climbing restrictions.
Meanwhile, Associated
Press in Kathmandu is reporting that Nepalese soldiers
guarding Everest have been authorised - as a last resort - to use
firearms to prevent any protests against the Chinese Olympic torch
expedition on the mountain. Nepalese troops and police have been sent
to the area as a response to pressure from the Chinese.
To summarise, it seems Everest is closed on the Tibetan side, while in Nepal, climbers are on the mountain but not allowed above Camp 2 until at least 2 May. Trekkers can access Base Camp in Nepal, but are not allowed to take phones or cameras with them. Eletronic items also appear to have been confiscated from climbing teams on the mountain.
Free Tibet
Much bigger than any questions over the interests of climbers on
Everest is the issue of China's cultural genocide in Tibet, which has
sparked worldwide protests along the route of the Olympic flame.
China's desire to stifle any dissent is the driving force behind the
measures around Everest with Nepal bending to the will of its
powerful next door neighbour.
More about Free Tibet at www.freetibet.org
Jake
