As climbers return to Everest, an already dangerous ascent becomes extra perilous
By Bhadra Sharma and Emily Schmall New York Times,Updated April 5, 2021, 2:11 a.m.
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Bahrainâs Everest expedition climbers worked out at a gym in Kathmandu, on March 26, 2021, before heading to the Everest region.UMA BISTA/NYT
KATHMANDU, Nepal â Mark Pattison played wide receiver for three NFL teams in the 1980s. Now he wants to fulfill another dream: to climb all seven of the worldâs highest peaks, including Mount Everest.
To prepare, Pattison, 59, packed weatherproof outerwear, polarized goggles and ice crampons. But he is climbing Mount Everest in the midst of a pandemic. He has supplemented his usual gear with masks, gloves and sanitizer. He took out extra insurance to pay for a rescue if COVID-19 strikes.
As climbers return to Everest, an already dangerous ascent becomes extra perilous
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As climbers return to Everest, an already dangerous ascent becomes extra perilous
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In north-central Nepal, the remote district of Mustang has become a renowned Himalayan trekking destination for those seeking to hike through a place that in some ways has remained unchanged for centuries. Soaring, snowy peaks loom over landscapes riven by rocky clefts. Vibrant Buddhist prayer flags top summits, and burgundy-hued monasteries hug steep hillsides in this region bordering Tibet.
But change is coming quickly to Mustang, as it is throughout Nepal. The country has embarked on a fast-paced road-building program that’s transforming the landscape as well as the lives of residents and the experiences of travelers. While some visitors bemoan the expansion of roads into what they view as pristine regions, many Nepalis living in remote settlements welcome easier access to cities and opportunities to enhance their economic prospects.