On 22 May 2019, the Nepali climber Nirmal Purja photographed a long line of climbers queueing along the narrow summit ridge of Everest. The image of the "traffic jam" in the death zone was shared around the world and became a symbol of the crowding on the mountain. In the same short weather window, several climbers died, and the 2019 season ended with 11 deaths on Everest.
In short: a viral photo on 22 May 2019 showed hundreds of climbers queueing near the summit of Everest. Overcrowding in a short weather window, along with inexperienced climbers, contributed to 11 deaths that season and calls for stricter rules.
Why the queues happened
Hundreds of climbers were waiting for a short spell of good weather, and many set off on the same nights. Long waits at altitude above 8,000 m use up oxygen and energy, raising the risk of exhaustion, altitude illness and frostbite.
What changed
The images prompted debate about permit numbers, climber experience and guide ratios. Nepal later revised its mountaineering rules, including higher royalties from September 2025 and requirements for guides on 8,000 m peaks. See our news on the new fees.