Chinese officials said although the entrance is closed, tourists can still visit the Rongpo monastery area at 16,400 feet above sea level. Only those with climber permits, however, will be allowed to go to the base camp about 600 feet higher, and beyond.
"The key area [of the reserve] will be closed for tourism for an indefinite period, mainly for ecological conservation," tourism official Tang Wu said Wednesday.
News of the decision, which officials reached last month, did not get much attention until this week.
Everest now being "conquered" by nuevo-explorers - not that I would survive it, mind you. What approaches commonplace astounds me.
Maybe AOS & Company could market Garbage Offsets?