The Asian country of Nepal has decided to allow free ascents up 97 of its mountains for at least for the next two years.
This is being done to relieve pressure on the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, which rises to almost 8,849 meters (29,032 feet).
In January, the Nepalese government increased permit fees — the first increase in almost 10 years — to climb Everest to approximately $15,000 per person.
The move would also encourage visitors to instead stay at a hotel such as the Hotel Everest View, which weather permitting has a great view of the mountain and itself sits at approximately 13,000 feet, high enough to cause labored breathing in most people.
Until recently, climbing Mount Everest was firmly the realm of professional mountaineers, many of whom did not come back. But now, the climb is a bucket list item for social media and influencers, occasionally with severe or fatal consequences for equipment porters and Sherpas. Often, Everest guides do not have the power to halt pre-paid climbs if the weather or conditions are unfavorable.
There are reports that for the lucky who get to the top, there is nowhere to stand due to the number of climbers.
That these other 97 alternative mountains do not have the name Everest attached to them is the whole point here, the apex example of overtourism, fear of missing out and, basically, showing off.
One might argue that many people are legitimately drawn to pursue the ultimate physical task in a landscape of supreme beauty among a rich culture.
Another argument is that a higher price puts a dream farther out of the reach of most people and into the hands of those who might believe their wealth results in a right to continue climbing even if a guide recommends turning back.
There also is a lot of garbage left on Everest every season, and tourists aren't bringing it back down, if it ever is removed.
The same situation is true of the new-fangled desire for space travel.
There is so much to do and see down on Earth and at an altitude where we are not all clamoring for oxygen.
Cool hummings
I need little excuse to bring birding into these pages, but I also read this week that the S Hotel Montego Bay in Jamaica has unveiled the world’s largest statue of a hummingbird.
The work of artist Scheed Cole, the statue is of a Red-billed streamertail (Trochilus polytmus) hummingbird, known locally as the Doctor bird. It is endemic to Jamaica and is known as the country's national bird. The Doctor bird gets its colloquial name from its plumage mimicking the uniform of doctors in centuries past. A depiction of the bird also graces the Jamaican 25-cent coin.
Christopher Issa, CEO of the S Hotel Montego Bay, said in a news release that “this bird is a symbol of flight and resilience. Like Jamaica, it's small but powerful. We wanted something super special — a landmark that inspires locals, intrigues visitors and celebrates what’s unique to this island.”
I have been to Jamaica only once, but I saw this green-and-black hummingbird species with two long streamers in a beautiful spot called YS Falls, a series of seven cascades on a river also called the YS, both named after a sugarcane farm.
The hummingbird has yet to fly onto the 117-room hotel’s website and gallery, but I am sure it will alight very soon.
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