Kathmandu, June 2025 — In response to a string of recent accidents and rescues on the slopes of Annapurna I, Nepal’s mountaineering authorities and tourism agencies have rolled out stricter safety protocols and policy reforms aimed at protecting climbers, guides, and high-altitude workers.
Known as the 10th highest peak in the world and also one of the most dangerous to summit, Annapurna I (8,091 meters) saw multiple life-threatening incidents during the 2024 autumn and 2025 spring climbing seasons. These include altitude sickness fatalities, avalanches, and helicopter evacuations under difficult weather conditions. As the trekking and climbing season intensifies, both the government and private sector are under pressure to improve the safety environment for climbers.
What Happened on Annapurna I?
According to the Tourism Department’s 2025 spring season report, at least three serious incidents were reported this year:
- A South Korean climber went missing during descent in April 2025. A week-long search operation involving helicopters and ground teams had to be suspended due to extreme weather.
- Two Nepali high-altitude porters suffered frostbite and required immediate evacuation.
- Several international expeditions faced delays due to unpredictable snowstorms and route collapse in the higher sections of the mountain.
While rescue teams responded swiftly, the pattern of near-tragedies has triggered a broader discussion about the adequacy of preparation, rescue infrastructure, and policy enforcement in Nepal’s most treacherous mountains.
Immediate Safety Measures Announced
In light of these incidents, the Department of Tourism, along with Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) and Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA), has announced a series of changes:
1. Mandatory High-Altitude Insurance for All Climbers and Support Staff
Climbers and even porters must now provide proof of comprehensive insurance that covers evacuation above 6,000 meters. Many past delays in rescue were due to payment clearance issues, especially for uninsured Nepali workers.
2. GPS Tracking Devices Now Required
All climbers attempting Annapurna I will be required to carry a personal GPS tracking beacon, ensuring that their location can be monitored in real-time. Expedition leaders will also be accountable for daily position reporting.
3. Permit Clearance Only for Certified Expeditions
The government will only issue permits to expedition companies who meet a new checklist of risk assessment, emergency planning, and equipment readiness. Freelance or self-organized climbs will not be entertained.
4. Weather Monitoring Posts Upgraded
Temporary weather outposts are being upgraded in Manang and Base Camp areas, with a direct feed from satellite weather stations. This will enable more timely warnings about storms or avalanche risks.
5. Rescue Coordination Cell Established
A new Rescue Operations Coordination Cell has been formed under the Ministry of Tourism, bringing together military rescue pilots, private helicopter firms, and emergency health professionals to improve response times and reduce bureaucratic delays.
The Human Cost and the Local Reality
While safety improvements are crucial, the issue is also deeply tied to the economics and risks faced by Nepali support workers—guides, Sherpas, porters, and kitchen staff—who often work in high-risk conditions for modest pay.
“Foreign climbers usually have insurance and advanced gear. But many of us don’t even have decent boots. If anything happens, we depend on luck,” says Laxman Gurung, a porter from Myagdi who has worked six seasons on Annapurna and Dhaulagiri routes.
The new requirement for mandatory insurance for Nepali workers is a step in the right direction, but monitoring and enforcement will be key. The government has stated that expedition permits will be revoked if companies are found violating this clause.
Balancing Prestige and Preparedness
Annapurna I is not just a mountain; it’s a symbol of national pride and a magnet for high-risk, high-reward mountaineering tourism. But as more commercial expeditions crowd into this extreme zone, critics argue that the focus on summit counts is overshadowing ethics and safety.
“There’s growing pressure to summit quickly, often ignoring proper acclimatization. That’s dangerous,” says Dr. Nima Sherpa of the Himalayan Rescue Association.
A Wake-Up Call for Reform
This year’s incidents are being treated as a wake-up call, not just for the government but also for climbers, agencies, and local communities who all depend on the climbing economy.
Experts argue that Nepal’s tourism success must not come at the cost of human life or unregulated risk. With climate change making high-altitude weather more erratic, the risks are only increasing.
The question now is whether these new measures will be implemented effectively—or simply remain policy on paper.
Final Thought
Nepal’s Himalayas will always be dangerous. But danger doesn’t mean disorganization. The new safety measures for Annapurna I reflect a growing maturity in Nepal’s mountaineering sector—an understanding that safety, not just adventure, is what sustains the future of mountain tourism.
As one local guide put it: “Every life we save is a summit in itself.”