China’s “Summit Line” to Keep Everest Climbers Apart During Pandemic
Everest’s snow‑capped peak has become a hotspot for a new kind of separation line—one that’s all about health, not politics.
Why a line is needed
Since late April, the Nepalese side of Everest Base Camp has been swamped with COVID‑19 cases, which has forced the Nepalese government to weigh up canceling the usual spring climbing season (April‑June). Meanwhile, China wants to keep its climbers safe from the contagion spreading in Nepal.
How the line will work
- A small crew of Tibetan guides will climb from the Tibetan side and establish a “line of separation” right at the summit.
- The summit is a minuscule, jaw‑dropping mound of snow—big enough for half a dozen climbers and guides at most.
- The guides will lay down the line before the 21 Chinese climbers they’re escorting arrive, but the exact design of the line is still a mystery.
- It’s unclear whether the guides will enforce the split, or simply mark it and then hike down.
China’s current restrictions
- Foreign climbers are banned from the Tibetan side of Everest since last year’s outbreak.
- Tibetan tourists are also barred from visiting the base camp on that side.
- China reported 12 new COVID‑19 cases on May 8—sixteen, all involving international travelers.
- On the Nepal side, the day’s tally hit a record 9,023 new cases.
Why this matters
Mount Everest is everyone’s scream‑tastic, endless‑above dream. Now it’s also a game of careful distancing, all while braving the death zone where oxygen is thin and the fall‑line can be a steep one. China’s “summit line” may be the first attempt to separate climbers on a peak all about teamwork.
