After failures in 2023, international teams are preparing to climb Everest’s North Side again this spring. To maintain safety and control climbing crowds, the China Tibet Mountaineering Association (CMTA) introduced more strict rules and increased fees.
Several outfitters, including Furtenbach Adventures (Austria), Alpenglow Expeditions (U.S), and Nepali companies Imagine Nepal and Climbalaya Treks, have confirmed climbs on Everest’s North Side. However, the Chinese authorities’ safety measures mean independent climbers and those attempting the ascent without supplemental oxygen won’t be allowed.
Furtenbach Adventures, led by Lukas Furtenbach, plans both Flash and Classic expeditions on the North Side. Alpenglow Expeditions and Nepali companies Imagine Nepal and Climbalaya Treks are also participating.
The cost of climbing Everest from the north side is significantly higher; a $15,800 climbing royalty fee covers travel and lodging in Tibet. In 2025, Nepal plans to raise its permit fees from $11,000 to $15,000.
Stricter laws and higher costs have changed the landscape as international teams get ready for the Everest expedition from the North Side, changing the dynamics of climbing the highest mountain in the world.
