More than 40 people have lost their lives in a freak blizzard and avalanche in what is being recorded as Nepal’s worst trekking disaster. Trekkers are lured by the charm of the Himalayan range, especially by the relative accessibility of the treks in and around the Annapurna Circuit. Tourists and guides operating on a shoe-string budget, putting no emphasis on their safety and arriving with gear more appropriate for a hike rather than being designed to protect them during unpredictable weather changes, flock to this circuit.
Emphasis must be put on personal safety, especially during unstable conditions. Sadly, many do not learn from this, dismissing the death toll as an accident. There is news that more tourists are waiting to embark upon the very trail where the catastrophe had occurred. The Nepalese government needs to clamp down on budget operators. Rules must not be flouted as they endanger the lives of tourists, porters and Sherpa guides. As more peaks are being opened up to foreign climbers due diligence must be made, safety measures benchmarked and technology inspected. Tourists should also register themselves with official climbing authorities and not venture out with the help of unlicenced guides.
