Reaching the roof of the world is a dream for many mountaineers. One of the peaks of the Himalayas, K2 is considered the most complicated. For some time now, climbing Everest has become more and more accessible thanks to Nepalese travel agencies. More and more tourists, which is not without consequences. This is the subject of the work of journalist and mountaineer from Grenoble, François Carrel.
Accessing the roof of the world when we see the videos circulating on social networks seems accessible. Successfully climbing peaks at an altitude of 8,000 meters seems accessible today, whereas a few years ago they were reserved for the greatest mountaineers. François Carrel, independent journalist and mountaineer from Grenoble, published a book, Himalaya Business, an investigation into the trivialization of the ascents of these peaks.
“The number of people who have reached the summit in recent years has multiplied. We are facing a commercial Himalayan culture that I even describe as industrial because it is controlled by the Nepalese, which is newexplains the journalist. This mastery allows a certain number of people to benefit from the logistics, equipment, know-how, and make this summit accessible to tourists.”
To climb Everest, count on between $30,000 and $80,000. Previously, it was necessary to be in good physical condition, this is no longer a prerequisite. The price includes personalized oxygen cylinder support “which reduces the difficulty and danger at high altitude”, develops François Carrel. Added to this are one or two Nepalese guides who have installed ropes to open the way. “It’s like a via ferrata”describes the journalist.
Despite the expensive price, this does not seem to deter tourists. In 67 years, only 377 climbers had succeeded in climbing K2, considered the highest peak in the world. There were 200 in 2022 alone, according to the Pakistani authorities. “It was a shock to all observers”notes the Grenoble mountaineer.
Consequences of this influx of tourists: security problems but also ecological problems, because “The Nepalese use helicopters to set up camps”, evokes François Carrel. An association is mobilizing to collect waste and raise awareness of the ecological impact of this influx of tourists in the region. In 2019, scientific studies, carried out as part of a National Geographic mission, reported the presence of micro plastic at the summit of the Himalayas.
It’s a disappearing myth. It is no longer an achievement but a tourist product that we buy.
François CarrelJournalist and mountaineer
Could Mont Blanc suffer the same fate? “There are peaks in attendance but they are much more spread outaccording to François Carrel. It’s a totally different world, we’re at 4000 meters, the techniques are less demanding, the assistance too, we’re in something that resembles mountaineering on Mont Blanc. At 8,000 it’s unfortunately disappearing.”
