Mount Everest Reopened To Climbers

07:03

August 26, 2015

Mount Everest as seen from an aircraft from airline company Drukair in Bhutan. (Wikimedia Commons)

Japanese mountaineer Nobukazu Kuriki is heading up Everest. This week he became the first person granted a permit to climb the mountain since a 7.8 magnitude earthquake devastated much of Nepal in April.

After four attempts, Kuriki hopes to reach the top. He also says he hopes to send a message that the mountain is safe for climbers.

Seven-time summiter Peter Athans says Nepal needs tourists now more than ever. He speaks with Here & Now's Robin Young.

Related: Longtime Everest Climber Calls Mountain A ‘Powder Keg’

Guest

Peter Athans, mountaineer, seven-time Mount Everest summiter and filmmaker. He's co-director of The Khumbu Climbing Center, a vocational school for indigenous people living near Everest.

This segment aired on August 26, 2015.