New Delhi: After a four-year hiatus, China has reopened the Tibetan route to Mount Everest, offering foreign climbers a renewed opportunity to ascend the world’s highest peak. The Tibetan path, historically favored for its unique challenges and experiences over the Nepalese route, had been closed since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Climbers eager to embark on this adventure must navigate a dual visa process, securing entry into both China and the semi-autonomous region of Tibet. The China Tibet Mountaineering Association (CTMA) oversees the distribution of climbing permits, with an annual cap of 300 permits for international climbers¹.
This year, Alpenglow Expeditions, under the seasoned leadership of eight-time Everest summiteer Adrian Ballinger, is set to guide a group along the storied Tibetan route. Ballinger, a proponent of the Tibetan approach, has consistently chosen it over the more congested and commercialized Nepalese path.
The CTMA does not make formal announcements regarding the route’s availability. Instead, climbers must stay vigilant for the release of the CTMA’s price list, which subtly signals the opening of the path. Ballinger’s team plans to arrive by April 25, aligning with the narrow climbing window that Everest’s unpredictable weather permits—typically from late April to mid-May. The spring season is considered optimal for summit attempts, with favorable conditions that attract a surge of climbers to the region.
The past restrictions on the Tibetan route inadvertently boosted the popularity of the Nepalese side, leading to a significant increase in local business. However, with the reopening, climbers like Ballinger who favor the less-traveled Tibetan route may inspire a shift back to the north face of Everest.
As the climbing community welcomes the return of access to Everest via Tibet, the anticipation builds for what many hope will be a season of successful ascents and a rekindling of the spirit of mountaineering in its most authentic form.
