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It turns out that the [strange blowback](https://explorersweb.com/report-everest-north-side-may-close-this-spring-after-controversial-fireworks-show/) from this event extends even further. Cho Oyu and Shisha Pangma will also be closed while local authorities finish their investigation. Outfitters offering Tibet’s 8,000m peaks have not yet officially cancelled. “Nothing solid at this time, and we are still working toward running the expedition,” Alpenglow’s Adrian Ballinger told ExplorersWeb on Saturday. “We have been hearing the rumors for two weeks, but we have not received any formal, official announcement.” However, a climber who chose to remain anonymous told ExplorersWeb that outfitters have been informed by the China-Tibet Mountaineering Association (CTMA) that Everest North Side will not be open to climbing this spring. A second source has confirmed that several outfitters have received a letter confirming the CMTA’s decision. ## Closed to Chinese as well? The situation is similar to 2023, when, after weeks of uncertainty, the CTMA decided to keep Everest closed to foreigners. Back then, Furtenbach Adventures moved its clients to the Nepali side of the mountain. Meanwhile, Alpenglow, which does not choose to operate on the South Side of Everest, due to crowding and the need to cross the dangerous Khumbu Icefall, offered [Makalu as a Plan B](https://explorersweb.com/first-glimpse-spring-2023-everest-8000m-season/) for its clients. While the CTMA closed the mountain to foreigners that year, it remained open for Chinese nationals. This year might be different, as the reason to keep the mountains closed is political and involves the regional government of Shigatse. ## Fireworks’ backlash Two sources have confirmed to ExplorersWeb that the closure is due to an ongoing investigation following a controversial fireworks display on the outskirts of Shigatse last September. As we explained in our [previous story](https://explorersweb.com/report-everest-north-side-may-close-this-spring-after-controversial-fireworks-show/), the noise and bursts of colored powder during the event drew heated criticism for the potential environmental damage, disturbance to local fauna, and a lack of respect for the mountains. Play The negative feedback prompted an investigation, reported [*Xinhua News*](https://english.news.cn/20250921/a1958505943e432c8c24f2c847e9698a/c.html), with serious consequences for the local authorities who permitted the show. Several officials have been sacked, according to the [*BBC*](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1lq4305336o), and it now seems that the process is not complete. Until it is, the CTMA has decided to close the mountains to international expeditions.  Shigatse’s location on Google Maps, north of Nepal and far from Everest. That means Cho Oyu and Shisha Pangma, located in the Shigatse district, will also be closed, at least in spring. This affects several outfitters who had announced Cho Oyu trips for April. > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/DSEarCjjIVS/?img_index=1) > > [See this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/DSEarCjjIVS/?img_index=1) ## How about Tyler Andrews’ FKT? This must be a difficult time for [Tyler Andrews](https://explorersweb.com/tyler-andrews-will-try-everest-fkt-again-from-the-north-side/) of the U.S., who planned to attempt a Fastest Known Time on Everest FKT from the North Side this spring. “We are considering all our options and will announce a decision shortly,” Andrews told ExplorersWeb.  File image of Tyler Andrews. Photo: Tyler Andrews The American runner tried to achieve the feat from the South Side last year. This time, he was confident he could set the FKT without supplemental oxygen by following the Tibetan route to the summit.  #### [Angela Benavides](https://explorersweb.com/author/angelab/) Angela Benavides graduated university in journalism and specializes in high-altitude mountaineering and expedition news. She has been writing about climbing and mountaineering, adventure and outdoor sports for 20+ years. Prior to that, Angela Benavides spent time at/worked at a number of local and international media. She is also experienced in outdoor-sport consultancy for sponsoring corporations, press manager and communication executive, and a published author. ### Also on Explorersweb [](https://explorersweb.com/tim-howell-will-again-try-to-wingsuit-from-lhotse/) ### [Tim Howell Will Again Try to Wingsuit from Lhotse](https://explorersweb.com/tim-howell-will-again-try-to-wingsuit-from-lhotse/) Tim Howell of the UK is preparing for his... March 17, 2026 [Angela Benavides](https://explorersweb.com/author/angelab/ "Posts by Angela Benavides") [](https://explorersweb.com/a-new-everest-trend-sea-to-summit/) ### [A New Everest Trend: Sea to Summit](https://explorersweb.com/a-new-everest-trend-sea-to-summit/) This spring, two climbers will approach Everest the (very)... March 11, 2026 [Angela Benavides](https://explorersweb.com/author/angelab/ "Posts by Angela Benavides") [](https://explorersweb.com/here-are-some-familiar-faces-returning-to-everest/) ### [Here Are Some Familiar Faces Returning to Everest](https://explorersweb.com/here-are-some-familiar-faces-returning-to-everest/) Love it or hate it, Everest keeps attracting the... March 6, 2026 [Angela Benavides](https://explorersweb.com/author/angelab/ "Posts by Angela Benavides") [](https://explorersweb.com/everest-season-officially-on-in-nepal-and-off-in-tibet/) ### [Everest Season Officially On In Nepal, and Off In Tibet](https://explorersweb.com/everest-season-officially-on-in-nepal-and-off-in-tibet/) The Icefall Doctors have begun their trek to Everest... March 2, 2026 [Angela Benavides](https://explorersweb.com/author/angelab/ "Posts by Angela Benavides") [](https://explorersweb.com/report-everest-north-side-may-close-this-spring-after-controversial-fireworks-show/) ### [Everest North Side May Close This Spring After Controversial Fireworks Show](https://explorersweb.com/report-everest-north-side-may-close-this-spring-after-controversial-fireworks-show/) An article today in Nepal's The Tourism Times suggests... February 20, 2026 [Angela Benavides](https://explorersweb.com/author/angelab/ "Posts by Angela Benavides") [](https://explorersweb.com/new-everest-regulations-you-must-climb-a-7000m-peak-in-nepal-first/) ### [New Everest Regulations: You Must Climb a 7,000m Peak in Nepal First](https://explorersweb.com/new-everest-regulations-you-must-climb-a-7000m-peak-in-nepal-first/) A new Tourism Bill passed Nepal's National Assembly last... February 16, 2026 [Angela Benavides](https://explorersweb.com/author/angelab/ "Posts by Angela Benavides") ### Sign up for ExplorersWeb Emails ### [Popular Posts](https://explorersweb.com/popular-posts/) ### [A Survivor Explains What Went Wrong in An Avalanche That Buried 12 of 13 Skiers in Her Guided Group](https://explorersweb.com/a-survivor-explains-what-went-wrong-in-an-avalanche-that-buried-12-of-13-skiers-in-her-guided-group/) March 16, 2026 [Jerry Kobalenko](https://explorersweb.com/author/jkbanff/ "Posts by Jerry Kobalenko") ### [A New Everest Trend: Sea to Summit](https://explorersweb.com/a-new-everest-trend-sea-to-summit/) March 11, 2026 [Angela Benavides](https://explorersweb.com/author/angelab/ "Posts by Angela Benavides") ### [The 8,000m Season Is Only 10 Days Away. First Up: Annapurna](https://explorersweb.com/the-8000m-season-is-only-10-days-away-first-up-annapurna/) March 12, 2026 [Angela Benavides](https://explorersweb.com/author/angelab/ "Posts by Angela Benavides") ### [Ama Dablam: 65 Years Since Its First Ascent](https://explorersweb.com/ama-dablam-65-years-since-its-first-ascent/) March 13, 2026 [Kris Annapurna](https://explorersweb.com/author/krisannapurna/ "Posts by Kris Annapurna") ExplorersWeb is part of [AllGear Digital's](https://allgeardigital.com/) portfolio of media brands. - [About Us](https://explorersweb.com/about) - [Privacy Policy](https://explorersweb.com/privacy-policy) Explorersweb © 2026  × ### Sign up for ExplorersWeb Emails Sign up to receive ExplorersWeb content direct to your inbox once a week. By signing up for email newsletters, you agree to [ExplorerWeb's Privacy Policy](https://explorersweb.com/privacy).

Last week, we reported that the North Side of Everest will not open to climbing this spring due to a controversial fireworks display five months ago near the Tibetan city of Shigatse. It turns out that the [strange blowback](https://explorersweb.com/report-everest-north-side-may-close-this-spring-after-controversial-fireworks-show/) from this event extends even further. Cho Oyu and Shisha Pangma will also be closed while local authorities finish their investigation. Outfitters offering Tibet’s 8,000m peaks have not yet officially cancelled. “Nothing solid at this time, and we are still working toward running the expedition,” Alpenglow’s Adrian Ballinger told ExplorersWeb on Saturday. “We have been hearing the rumors for two weeks, but we have not received any formal, official announcement.” However, a climber who chose to remain anonymous told ExplorersWeb that outfitters have been informed by the China-Tibet Mountaineering Association (CTMA) that Everest North Side will not be open to climbing this spring. A second source has confirmed that several outfitters have received a letter confirming the CMTA’s decision. ## Closed to Chinese as well? The situation is similar to 2023, when, after weeks of uncertainty, the CTMA decided to keep Everest closed to foreigners. Back then, Furtenbach Adventures moved its clients to the Nepali side of the mountain. Meanwhile, Alpenglow, which does not choose to operate on the South Side of Everest, due to crowding and the need to cross the dangerous Khumbu Icefall, offered [Makalu as a Plan B](https://explorersweb.com/first-glimpse-spring-2023-everest-8000m-season/) for its clients. While the CTMA closed the mountain to foreigners that year, it remained open for Chinese nationals. This year might be different, as the reason to keep the mountains closed is political and involves the regional government of Shigatse. ## Fireworks’ backlash Two sources have confirmed to ExplorersWeb that the closure is due to an ongoing investigation following a controversial fireworks display on the outskirts of Shigatse last September. As we explained in our [previous story](https://explorersweb.com/report-everest-north-side-may-close-this-spring-after-controversial-fireworks-show/), the noise and bursts of colored powder during the event drew heated criticism for the potential environmental damage, disturbance to local fauna, and a lack of respect for the mountains. The negative feedback prompted an investigation, reported [*Xinhua News*](https://english.news.cn/20250921/a1958505943e432c8c24f2c847e9698a/c.html), with serious consequences for the local authorities who permitted the show. Several officials have been sacked, according to the [*BBC*](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1lq4305336o), and it now seems that the process is not complete. Until it is, the CTMA has decided to close the mountains to international expeditions.  Shigatse’s location on Google Maps, north of Nepal and far from Everest. That means Cho Oyu and Shisha Pangma, located in the Shigatse district, will also be closed, at least in spring. This affects several outfitters who had announced Cho Oyu trips for April. ## How about Tyler Andrews’ FKT? This must be a difficult time for [Tyler Andrews](https://explorersweb.com/tyler-andrews-will-try-everest-fkt-again-from-the-north-side/) of the U.S., who planned to attempt a Fastest Known Time on Everest FKT from the North Side this spring. “We are considering all our options and will announce a decision shortly,” Andrews told ExplorersWeb.  File image of Tyler Andrews. Photo: Tyler Andrews The American runner tried to achieve the feat from the South Side last year. This time, he was confident he could set the FKT without supplemental oxygen by following the Tibetan route to the summit.