mount everestBecause of the unrest in Tibet and China's hosting the Summer Olympics this year, there is uncertainty about how open Mount Everest will be to climbers this season. Tibetan monks have recently engaged in protests over China's iron fist over their country, and China has closed the door to foreigners who want to visit Tibet this summer. The Chinese authorities want to place the Olympic torch at the summit of Mount Everest, and they worry that opening the mountain to hikers and climbers could jeopardize their image for the summer Olympics.

They are not allowing the trail guides to lay preparation for the ropes and bridges that are needed to ascend Mount Everest. They usually start these activities in March, in preparation for the brief climbing season which begins in May, and without the preparation, climbers will not be able to go to the top of Mount Everest. Hundreds of climbers have paid for the trip to the top, and now their dreams of summiting may be vaporizing in the thin air of Mount Everest and the seriousness of the conflict with China.