Unstable Icefall Halts 410 Everest Climbers Amid Avalanche Risk

410 foreign climbers face delays on Mount Everest due to an unstable ice block, prompting official warnings about avalanche risk. Authorities are assessing the situation as the climbing season progresses.

An unstable ice block, called a serac, has halted 410 foreign climbers attempting Mount Everest’s summit this spring. This formation, located on the critical route just above base camp, poses a significant avalanche risk.

Authorities issued permits to 410 foreign climbers for the spring Everest summit attempt. This group now waits at base camp as safety concerns delay their ascent.

Himal Gautam of Nepal’s department of mountaineering stated the serac above base camp was unstable. He confirmed it presented a clear risk to climbers navigating the lower sections of the peak.

The serac is part of the Khumbu Icefall, a constantly shifting glacier known for its deep crevasses and towering ice formations. A glacier collapse in 2014 triggered an avalanche in this same area, killing 16 Sherpa guides who transported equipment.

Typically, “icefall doctors”—elite guides responsible for establishing the climbing route with ropes and ladders—complete their work by mid-April. This year’s delay impacts critical route preparation and climber schedules.

The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, which deploys these route-setting teams, plans an aerial survey to assess the serac. Officials await a safe reduction in the ice block's size before clearing further ascent.

The climbing community now watches for updates on the serac’s stability and the potential for a narrowed summit window as the spring season continues.