Shishapangma

70 years after the first ascent of Everest, the impact of mass mountaineering must be confronted

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, May 27, 2023

But there is one that holds extra-special meaning for many – Mount Everest, or Chomolungma as the Nepalese Sherpa people call it.

Key Points: 
  • But there is one that holds extra-special meaning for many – Mount Everest, or Chomolungma as the Nepalese Sherpa people call it.
  • A sacred mountain for some, for others the world’s highest peak represents a challenge and a lifelong dream.
  • Since then, mountaineering has become massively popular and commercial – with serious implications for the cultures and environments that sustain it.

Scaling the heights

    • From 1854 to 1899 (known as the classic mountaineering period), advances in climbing technology saw ascending peaks by challenging routes become possible and popular.
    • Since then, all of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks have been climbed in winter, culminating in the historic winter scaling of the 8,611-metre K2 by a Nepalese expedition in 2021.

Mass mountaineering

    • Pushing to the summit may put their own lives, and the lives of other climbers and rescue teams, at risk.
    • And yet the number of people attempting to climb famous peaks such as Kilimanjaro in Tanzania or Aconcagua in Argentina has increased dramatically.
    • In 1992, for example, when the first commercial mountaineering expeditions on Everest began, 22 Sherpas and 65 paying mountaineers summited – one Sherpa for three clients.
    • This year, however, some estimate a record of more than 1,000 people could reach the summit.

The next challenge

    • They want stricter regulations and better training to protect the fragile ecosystems of the Himalayas and other mountain ranges worldwide.
    • Ultimately, the future of mountaineering depends on preserving these unique mountain environments in the first place.
    • Paradoxically, while it has become more accessible and popular, it has also become more challenging and complex.

EquitiesFirst and 14 Peaks' Nimsdai Purja Begin Epic Journey to Top of the World

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 12, 2022

HONG KONG, May 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EquitiesFirst, the global asset-based financing corporation, today announced a new partnership with 14 Peaks mountaineer Nimsdai Purja MBE ("Nims") as he ascends Everest in May 2022.

Key Points: 
  • When the opportunity arose to be part of Nims' 2022 Everest ascent, and his next extraordinary journey, it was an immediate yes from all of us at EquitiesFirst.
  • "My mountaineering mission began in December 2012 when I set out on a trek to Everest Base Camp.
  • As seen on 14 Peaks, Nims' Everest journey is sure to be another thrilling, action-packed story with courage, perseverance and human endeavour at its heart.
  • Since founding, EquitiesFirst has successfully completed US$3 billion in capital raising for clients around the world.

EquitiesFirst and 14 Peaks' Nimsdai Purja Begin Epic Journey to Top of the World

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 12, 2022

HONG KONG, May 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EquitiesFirst, the global asset-based financing corporation, today announced a new partnership with 14 Peaks mountaineer Nimsdai Purja MBE ("Nims") as he ascends Everest in May 2022.

Key Points: 
  • When the opportunity arose to be part of Nims' 2022 Everest ascent, and his next extraordinary journey, it was an immediate yes from all of us at EquitiesFirst.
  • As seen on 14 Peaks, Nims' Everest journey is sure to be another thrilling, action-packed story with courage, perseverance and human endeavour at its heart.
  • Since founding, EquitiesFirst has successfully completed US$3 billion in capital raising for clients around the world.
  • Only 44 climbers have achieved the feat of consecutively ascending all 14 of the world's highest peaks.