The recent days have seen a “congestion” as climbers struggled with the harsh weather on the world’s highest peak, which marks the end of the climbing season.

Hundreds of climbers and their guides, the Sherpas, attempted to ascend the famous mountain in May, battling difficult weather conditions at the summit of 8,849 meters with the goal of reaching the top.

Due to limited windows of good weather near the summit, a large number of climbers were lined up tethered to a single safety rope, a phenomenon known as “Everest congestion.”

As Sky News reports, the situation was exacerbated by the appearance of many inexperienced climbers.

“Generally, on Everest, the weather is the main factor, and it was not as forecasted. Secondly, there was overcrowding because both professionals and beginners were there simultaneously,” said Pasang Rinji Sherpa, who has summited twice.

He added that only selected or trained climbers should be permitted to attempt the ascent to ensure a safer and easier experience for everyone. “Currently, there are inexperienced or unskilled climbers alongside professionals, and this causes the problem,” he explained. “Climbers need to have basic knowledge to use their equipment properly and to stay safe while climbing Everest.”

According to Nepal’s Ministry of Mountaineering, 468 foreign climbers from 57 countries received permits to ascend Everest by the end of May, along with approximately the same number of Nepali mountain guides.