Everest Summit Was a Crowded Place This Week

The world's tallest peak was a crowded place on Wednesday. Nepalese officials say at least 274 climbers reached the summit from the south side on Wednesday, the highest single-day total yet from Nepal. Teams seized a window of clear weather after the start to the climbing season was delayed by an ice blockage, the Guardian reports. All but one climber used bottled oxygen and support from Sherpa guides; Ecuador's Marcelo Segovia summited without either, according to expedition organizers.

The previous record for ascents from the Nepalese side was 223 on May 22, 2019. There were also 113 climbers from the Chinese side that day. China's closure of the Tibetan route this year has funneled more climbers to Nepal, which has issued 494 Everest permits at $15,000 each. The surge came as climbers stalled at higher camps for better winds were joined by those moving up from below, prompting reports of lines and slow going in the high-altitude "death zone," Reuters reports. Earlier this week, veteran mountain guide Kami Rita Sherpa reached the summit a record 32nd time.