Everest: It's busy on the world's highest mountain

6/11/23 8:00PM

Not so lonely at the top

‍A record number of climbing permits being issued for Mount Everest this year may sound like a positive sign that thrill seekers are back out seizing the day, but locals and trekking experts pointed to the 478 issuances as a key reason behind 2023 being the deadliest season in years.

In response to criticism over the permits, Nepal’s Department of Tourism claimed that basecamp officials and doctors were “well prepared to cope with the crowd”. However, with 12 confirmed fatalities and 5 climbers declared missing this season, the government conceded it would be considering tighter regulations moving forward.

‍New peaks

‍There have been over 11,000 summits since the first successful ascent of Everest in 1953, a British effort where a mammoth team of 350 porters and 20 Sherpas supported just 10 climbers, with those numbers really rising since the turn of the century. While that’s been good for the Nepalese tourist board and local industry — climbing Earth’s highest peak can cost you anywhere from ~$45k-$75k according to some estimates — the climbing figures can make the ascent more dangerous.

In 2019, an estimated 877 mountaineers made it to the top of Everest — a tally reflected not only in a viral photo of people snaking their way up the mountainside, but also in the perils which faced climbers. Although there are no estimates yet for the number of successful ascendants in 2023, the danger of the season and the record permits suggest it won’t have been lonely at the top.

Jake Lahut

PAIN AT THE PUMP

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Analyst: US could see $5 gas by Memorial Day, $6 per gallon on the table

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Gas station in front of the Gordie Howe International Bridge under construction.

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The UAE’s OPEC exit will hit the group in the barrels

After just shy of 60 years in OPEC, its membership even predating its status as a nation-state, the United Arab Emirates yesterday announced its shocking departure from the oil production group, effective May 1, as the knock-on effects of the Iran war continue to play out across the Middle East and the energy landscape.

For context, the UAE produces the third-highest amount of oil in the group, per April data and OPEC’s latest set of annual statistics.

According to the cartel’s 2025 Annual Statistical Bulletin, the OPEC group was collectively exporting some 19 million barrels of crude oil a day last year, with the United Arab Emirates accounting for some 14% of that daily output.

UAExit means UAExit

The nation, whose energy minister told Reuters yesterday that the decision was taken “after a careful look at current and future policies related to level of production” and wasn’t made following discussions with any other country, made up a healthy share of the group’s total confirmed crude oil reserves, as well.

Of the 12 nations in the core group, which was founded by just five oil superpowers back in September 1960, only two (Iraq and Saudi Arabia) exported more barrels of crude oil daily, pumping out 3.36 million and 6.05 million barrels, respectively, each day to nations around the world.

For its part, the UAE said it will “continue its responsible role by gradually and thoughtfully increasing production, in line with demand and market conditions,” per the official state news agency. Clearly, the nation now wants a little more control of just how much oil it can pump around the world, with the UAE having to eat a large proportion of lost revenues due to its healthy abundance and OPEC restrictions.