Hundreds trapped on Mt. Everest by massive storm, desperate rescue effort begins
New York Post21 hrs
Hundreds of Trekkers Trapped on Blizzard-Struck Mount Everest
Above: Climbers between the South Summit and the Hillary Step of Mount Everest on May 21, 2024. Image copyright: Narendra Shahi Thakuri/picture alliance/Getty Images
The Spin
Climate-concerned narrative
Climate change is turning Everest into a death trap with melting glaciers creating unstable routes and unpredictable weather patterns. Rising temperatures are causing massive ice loss, rendering the Khumbu Icefall increasingly unreliable while also increasing rockfall and avalanche risks throughout the region.
Climate-skeptic narrative
Not every development can be linked to climate change, which hasn't conclusively been proved to be the result of human activity. While some warming exists, the natural carbon cycles affecting the earth are far greater than any impact of human activity. Attempting to imply that recent weather challenges on Everest are the causal result of sustained climate change is an unconvincing argumentative stretch.
Narrative C
While Everest may well be suffering the effects of climate change, it cannot be ignored that issues of overcrowding and poor management have turned the sacred mountain into a polluted tourist destination. With hundreds of climbers creating traffic jams and leaving tons of trash, the mountain needs permit limits and higher fees to control reckless commercialization, and to prevent the rapid deterioration of Everest's natural infrastructure.