In reply to Mr. Lee:
> It's very difficult to not be cynical given that it is strictly local guides that need to be employed. If it was genuinely about the safety of climbers then there wouldn't be the requirement for the guide to be Nepalese. Really they should just put up fees rather than looking for stealthy ways to increase revenue. If safety was the priority then better to put the emphasis on the overseas companies to ensure better safety standards (given they are the ultimate employer).
If they put up the official peak fees, more money would just disappear into the government. This move is driven by a handful of guiding companies, as they will get to employ the 'guides' from whom they will get kickbacks, just like most jobs in Nepal. It's just more revenue and influence for these businesses. In theory it would mean more crowding on the mountain, which would indeed be too ridiculous, but I think we all know these 'guides' will never go above BC, if they get there at all.
> Also, to me it's an invasion of freedom. Fair enough they charge whatever for permits, LOs, etc (take it or leave it after all) but when rules mean you need to climb a peak with somebody that you have likely never met before then that in itself brings dangers. I've done very little high altitude stuff but I would want to climb with partners that I am familiar with, and whom I know I will maintain a good morale around on a long trip. Also, presumably these rules will indirectly rule-out Alpine-style attempts? Who in their right minds are going to rope up as a three with a third person they have never met?
Funny you mention that, as the UIAA has a draft thing going around that states:
"Should a guide be mandatory, this will go against individual freedom and can seriously jeopardise the safety of mountaineers."
>Big siege-style attempts probably account for 99% of permits so I doubt the NMA care.
Exactly, and a lot of people won't care either, because the bulk of visitors are now on commercially guided trips to just a few peaks. If the regs are enforced, only a small minority will be impacted - it just happens to be the minority whose actions have historically shaped mountaineering into something that makes it attractive to a wider audience - small, skilled, competent teams of adventurous people taking on challenges using their own faculties and taking responsibility for their own risks and efforts. Not paying impoverished brown people to assume both the risk and work for them to make it easier.