KATHMANDU: The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee has issued mandatory regulations for the upcoming Everest climbing season, covering Khumbu Icefall route fees and a strengthened waste management framework across Everest Base Camp and higher camps.

The notice, signed by SPCC's Chief Executive Tshering Sherpa, applies to all expedition operators, climbers and support staff on Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse.

Icefall route fee

All foreign climbers holding permits for Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse are required to pay a mandatory Khumbu Icefall Route fee of USD 600 per person. As the Icefall is the sole access point to all three peaks, the fee applies to all permit holders regardless of route.

Expedition operators must deposit the fee into the SPCC account at Kumari Bank, Namche Branch — Account Name: Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, Account Number: 0480150897100001 — and submit a copy of the deposit slip along with the climbing permit to the SPCC head office in Namche Bazaar during permit registration. Operators who fail to deposit the fee by end of April 2026 will be subject to a late fee, the SPCC stated

Waste management regulations

Source segregation of waste is now mandatory at all base camps and higher camps. Waste must be separated into seven categories: plastics, paper and cardboard, tins and cans, glass bottles, kitchen and organic waste, hazardous materials including batteries and medical waste, and human waste.

Each climber is required to bring back a minimum of 8 kg of garbage from above base camp. Additionally, every climber and high-altitude Sherpa venturing above Camp II must carry down at least 2 kg of waste. SPCC staff will verify compliance at Camp II.

Human waste must be collected in portable barrels at base camp. Above base camp, only SPCC-issued poop bags are permitted — personal poop bags will not be accepted. These bags are available at the SPCC Base Camp Office. A designated area must be used for urine at base camp.

End-of-season requirements

Expedition operators must submit a complete inventory of food supplies and equipment stored above base camp — including at Camp II and Camp IV — at both the start and conclusion of the climbing season. All higher camps must be thoroughly cleaned before teams wrap up their expeditions.

SPCC has warned that a Garbage Clearance Letter, required by all expedition operators, will not be issued to teams that fail to comply with these regulations.