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China's decision to close the southern side of Mt Everest could potentially damage international relations and hit several mountain guiding companies, such as pioneering New Zealand guiding outfit Adventure Consultants, of Wanaka, in the pocket.
The Chinese Government is also pressuring Nepal to close the world's highest peak to climbing expeditions, as the Olympic hosts bid to carry the Olympic torch to Everest's summit.
One of New Zealand's premier mountain guides, Guy Cotter, is readying himself, seven clients, and a team of four other Wanaka mountain guides for a trip to Kathmandu.
The team is scheduled to leave today from Auckland Airport for Nepal, to undertake Wanaka-based Adventure Consultants' only Mt Everest guided climb.
Adventure Consultants director Suze Kelly said Mr Cotter would hold a press conference today at Auckland Airport to appeal to Foreign Minister Winston Peters and the Government to ask China to repeal its efforts.
The Chinese want to close the mountain from May 1 until May 10, while the Olympic torch summit bid goes ahead, and to stop any potential demonstration attempts from Free Tibet campaigners on the mountain, Ms Kelly claims.
Expeditions to Mt Everest had a "very narrow climbing window," and the attempts at a blanket ban would severely jeopardise expeditions, which involved acclimatisation periods throughout April, before the best conditions arrived in mid May, she said.
Adventure Consultants is the only New Zealand guiding company which undertakes large-scale expeditions, with about 15 other international companies offering the same experience.
If the Nepalese Government bowed to Chinese pressure to close the mountain, sherpas and other mountain villagers stood to lose a "potential $10 million" economic injection, she said.
Adventure Consultants employs a team of 32 climbing Sherpas, alongside other periphery services provided by Himalayan villages.
Ms Kelly said she could not understand how the Chinese wanted to close the mountain's southern access for the Olympic torch bid, given mountaineering's sporting legacy.
The closure was also contrary to a proposed New Zealand China free trade agreement, she said.
A blanket ban on access to Mt Everest would affect between 15 and 20 guiding operations, with New Zealand guides often having a predominant presence in any expedition, Ms Kelly said.
- OTAGO DAILY TIMES
