Everest 2008: Preliminary List of Rules for May 1st-10th on Mt. Everest and Lhasa

EverestNews has put up a bulletin today with a list of drafted rules for the South Everest and Lhasa climbs this season.  They state that these rules are preliminary and still need approval before they take effect.  These rules only regard the May 1-10th climbing period.  It is not known at this time if certain restrictions will be in place before the May 1st start of the Everest torch run from the Northern side.

Here are the Preliminary rules from May 1st-10th, courtesy of EverestNews:

These Temporary Rules will only apply for the climbing period   1 April-10 May

Issuing of permit and the route for spring 2008 for Everest and Lhotse:

1. The Government of Nepal and the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation will only issue permits for the South East Ridge Route on Mount Everest for the Spring of 2008. Similarly, for Lhotse, permits will only be granted for the normal route. No other routes will be granted by the ministry such as the West Ridge, Southwest Face and the South Pillar.
2. No Documentary filming permits will be issued for the spring of 2008 on Mount Everest and Lhotse.

Climbing Rules and Regulations:

1. All foreign and Nepali Climbers are permitted to climb from base camp to Camp 1, Camp 2 and Camp 3 until May 10th.
2. To Proceed to Camp 4 (South Col) and the Summit will only be allowed after May 10^th onwards with the permission from the ministry of Culture Tourism and Civil Aviation. Until then Camp 4 and the Summit climbs will be restricted.
3. Any rope fixing above camp 3 before May 10^th is strictly restricted.
4. All foreign and Nepali climbers will only be allowed to climb from base camp to camp1 and camp 2 (through the Khumbu Icefall) from 4 am onwards until 6 pm. This will not apply to any rescue efforts.
5. From Camp 2 to Camp 3 the permitted climbing time will be from 6 am to 6 pm only. This will not apply to rescue efforts.
6. No climbing will be permitted on the mountain after 6 pm. This will not apply to rescue efforts.
7. There will be a climbing liaison officer based at camp 2 and camp 3 who will monitor and enforce the temporary rules and regulations. Liaison officers will report to the government of Nepal after the expedition.

Communication:

A.  Satellite phones, computers/laptops and mobile phones will be under the supervision of liaison officers. Satellite phones will be available for the use of emergency and rescue. Climbers will be allowed to communicate with their own respective satellite phone to their agents and their families at regular base, under the supervision of the liaison officer till May 10^th. Weather reports can also be obtained by satellite phone under the supervision of the liaison officer.

B.  VHF communication sets will be permitted for use for the duration of the expedition at the frequency set by the Government of Nepal

Photography:

1. No Personal video Camera will be allowed to be used at base camp and above until May 10^th. These items will also be under the supervision of the Liaison officer.
2. All foreign nationals will not display any flags, banners or stickers that may harm the diplomatic relations between Nepal and its neighboring countries.
3. All Expedition handling agents in Nepal will sign a written agreement with the government of Nepal that they will take full responsibility for any behavior or activities aimed at discrediting Nepal’s neighboring countries.
4. There will be a checkpoint established by the Government of Nepal at Gorakshep (5200m). This checkpoint will be monitored and managed by 3 associations and institutions of Nepal:
   
   1. Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee
   2. Sagarmatha National Park
   3. Nepal Army or Police force
5. The above expenses for the checkpoint at Gorakshep will be covered by the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee or the Government of Nepal from the Funds that they have raised from the Royalty from the Ice fall and the peak Permit.
6. This will apply to all group visitors who wish to trek to Base Camp for a day visit or a night halt. Please note that all the trekking guides who are escorting the group must carry an identity card issued by their company. Failure to show the identity card will result in the Group not being permitted to travel to Base Camp.

Media and Press:

1. Press and Media will only be allowed to visit base camp with permission from the Government of Nepal. Liaison officers will have the right to inspect filming permits.
2. The Government of Nepal has the right to inspect all footage for censorship reasons.

Helicopter flights:

1. No helicopters flights will be allowed to land at base camp until May 10^th except for mountain rescue.

These flight will have to be authorized by the Himalayan Rescue Association.

Please Visit EverestNews for more information.