KATHMANDU – Mountaineers preferring the Tibet route to access Mt Everest because of low fees and relaxed rules face a rude jolt — China is going to rein in climbing expeditions next spring apparently because of the 2008 Olympics.
The China Tibet Mountaineering Association in Lhasa (CTMA) says it has negotiated with the China Mountaineering Association in Beijing for limiting the number of climbers in the Everest area in spring 2007 to prepare for the 2008 Olympic Torch Race.
However, seasoned climbers and human rights activists say it is an effort by Beijing to keep negative publicity at bay, especially after the international furore over graphic reports from mountaineers of the shooting of Tibetan refugees in September that resulted in the death of a 17-year-old nun.
China plans to kick off the Olympics with a spectacular flames ceremony when the torch will be carried atop Everest.
