Photo / Jason Maehl, Getty ImagesNew Zealand's most experienced Everest tour operators decided to scrap their mountaineering season amid operational difficulties and concern over a growing Covid 19 outbreak in Nepal. The first summit of the season was made earlier this week, in what is already a record-breaking season. Led by Sherpa Kami Rita, the veteran expedition guide made an unsurpassed 25th summit of Everest on Sunday. Photo / Niranjan Shrestha, APLast year the mountain was closed to climbers from Nepal 14 March before the spring weather window. Covid cases climb as mountain season startsNepal has seen a huge surge in Coronavirus cases since March and the arrival of spring.

Source: New Zealand Herald May 13, 2021 21:44 UTC