274 climbers summit in one day
USA Today • • world
Key Points:
- A record 274 climbers summited Mount Everest in a single day on May 20, 2024, due to a brief weather window, surpassing the previous Nepali-side record of 223 climbers set in 2019.
- All ascents occurred via the southern route through Nepal, as Chinese authorities did not issue permits for the northern route from Tibet, concentrating climbing activity on the Nepali side.
- Overcrowding on the narrow summit route, especially in the "death zone" above 8,000 meters, has raised serious safety concerns due to delays and prolonged exposure to extreme altitude.
- The climbing season was delayed by a large serac blocking the main route, compressing summit attempts into a shorter timeframe and contributing to congestion during favorable weather.
- Several Sherpa climbers set new records this season, including Kami Rita Sherpa's 32nd summit, Pasang Dawa Sherpa's 30th, and Lakpa Sherpa's 11th, the highest number for a female mountaineer.