Critics warn bargain operators -- who have slashed the price of an Everest ticket to as low as $20,000 -- accept even the most inexperienced climbers. Guy Cotter, who has been guiding on Everest for 27 years, warned that many new climbers lack experience. Tenzing Norgay, the first man to summit Everest together with New Zealander Edmund Hillary in 1953, only reached the top on his seventh attempt. Many long-time Everest operators warn that inexperience -- among climbers and operators -- will lead to more deaths. But Everest guide Ang Tshering Lama, who last year rescued a climber and his guide who refused to turn around and give up his $20,000 fee, pointed the finger at climbers' egos.

Source: Bangkok Post May 13, 2018 05:47 UTC