In anticipation of the Olympic Torch Relay, during which China plans to carry the torch to the summit of Mount Everest, the mountain has been closed to mountaineering expeditions during the beginning of the peak climbing month of May. On March 14, Nepal announced that they would also be closing the south-side of Mount Everest, which lies within their territory, at the same time to assist Chinese mountaineers. Chinese officials expressed concerns for environmental depredation and overcrowding as motivation for the closure but many critics argue that it is an attempt to prevent Tibetan Independence protests.

1. China announced closures on March 10, 2008
2. Nepal announced closures on March 14, 2008
3. The northern, Chinese controlled portion of the mountain will be closed in April, May, and June, 2008
4. The southern, Nepali controlled portion of Mount Everest will be closed the first two weeks in May, 2008
5. China cited concerns over environmental damage and overcrowding
6. Critics argue it is an attempt to stifle Tibetan Independence protests
7. Mountaineers commonly climb the mountain the last two weeks of May
8. They must spend the preceding month climbing up and down portions of the mountain to acclimatize
9. Pemba Dorje Sherpa, Everest speed climbing record holder, stated that "conducting the torch relay from the Chinese side should not interfere with Nepal's climbing season"

• Google News: Everest Closed Olympic Torch
• The New York Times: Nepal Puts Everest Off Limits for Olympics (March 15, 2008)
  • "There are two routes to the world’s highest peak and both are scheduled to be off limits to mountaineers this spring, as Beijing strives to inaugurate the Olympic Games free of pro-Tibetan protests."
• VOA News: Nepal to Close Its Side of Everest During China's Olympic Torch Climb (March 14, 2008)
• The Chicago Tribune: China Asks Nepal to Ban Everest Climbs (March 14, 2008)
• Helsingin Sanomat: China to Close Mt. Everest—Finnish Expedition in Jeopardy (March 14, 2008)
• Times Online: Everest Shut Down to Keep Protests Away From Olympic Torch Parade (March 13, 2008)
  • "Running the relay through one of China’s most restive regions, where many Tibetans chafe under Beijing’s rule, also risks politicizing the Games."
• News Post India: China Fears Everest Of Tibetan Protests Ahead Of Olympics (March 11, 2008)

• TreeHugger: China Shuts Down Mt. Everest, Cites 'Environmental Pressures' (March 13, 2008)

• Climbing Blog (American Alpine Institute): Chinese Government Closes Everest (March 13, 2008)

• The Adventurist: Everest 2008: Protests, Confusion, and Bribes Pave Way for Torch Run (March 13, 2008)

• Everest: Closing Everest—What China Fears Most (March 10, 2008)

• Everest: Closing Everest—Thousand Or More Climbers and Staff Affected (March 10, 2008)

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