The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) has officially released new mandatory guidelines for the 2026 climbing season, introducing a revised Khumbu Icefall fee and tightening waste management protocols for all expeditions on Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, and Mt. Nuptse.
Mandatory Khumbu Icefall Fees
In a notice issued on March 18th, the SPCC confirmed that all foreign climbers must pay a mandatory $600 USD fee to traverse the Khumbu Icefall. Because the Icefall remains the primary access point for these peaks, the fee applies to all permit holders regardless of their specific climbing route.
Expedition operators are required to deposit these fees into the SPCC’s account at Kumari Bank, Namche Branch, before the end of April 2026. Failure to meet this deadline will result in additional late fees. Operators must present both the deposit slip and the climbing permit at the SPCC head office in Namche Bazaar to finalize registration.
Zero-Tolerance Waste Management
The SPCC is enforcing “source segregation,” requiring all waste at Base Camp and higher altitudes to be separated into seven distinct categories:
- Plastics
- Paper and Cardboard
- Tins/Cans
- Glass Bottles
- Kitchen (Organic) Waste
- Hazardous Objects (Batteries and medical waste)
- Human Waste
A significant focus this year is on human waste management. While portable barrels are required at Base Camp, the SPCC has mandated the use of official SPCC-issued poop bags for all camps above Base Camp. The committee explicitly stated that personal bags are prohibited, and official bags must be collected from the SPCC Base Camp Office.
Strict Retrieval Quotas
To combat high-altitude litter, the SPCC has set specific weight quotas for waste retrieval:
- Each climber must bring back a minimum of 8 kg of garbage from above Base Camp.
- Climbers and High-Altitude Sherpas going above Camp II must bring down an additional 2 kg of waste, which will be verified by SPCC staff stationed at Camp II.
Compliance or No Clearance
In a move to ensure accountability, expedition operators must now submit a full inventory of food and equipment stored at higher camps (specifically Camp II and Camp IV) at both the start and the end of the season.
“SPCC will not issue a Garbage Clearance Letter to expedition operators who fail to comply with these regulations,” warned Tshering Sherpa in the official statement. Without this clearance letter, operators may face difficulties in future seasons or with government liaison offices.
The SPCC stated these measures are essential for the environmental preservation of the world’s highest peaks and wished all climbers a safe and successful 2026 season.
