Nepal&rsquos Mountaineering Association is lobbying their government to impose stricter rules for those wanting to scale Everest, after 11 climbers&mdashincluding four Indians&mdashsuccumbed on their way to the peak. Santa Bir Lama, the Association&rsquos President, blames the deaths on a surge of inexperienced visitors.
Kathmandu formerly enforced a &lsquoone-route one-team&rsquo rule for climbers. However, after the restriction was lifted in 1993, congestion during good weather has become a mainstay&mdashsample the viral image of a &lsquotraffic jam&rsquo near the summit. Chilean mountaineer Juan Pablo Mohr told news agency AFP that recent climbers were unaware of basics like using the fixed ropes, or attaching crampons (a footwear traction device) on the icy surface. "People who know nothing of climbing, never been on a mountain, came and tried to climb Everest.&rdquo Phurba Tenjing Sherpa, a veteran guide, added that another climber was a woman in her fifties the lady was vastly under-prepared, with no prior experience. But since the fees had been paid, she insisted on the seeing the summit. Tenjing feels that this stubborn, forceful nature is the most harmful.