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Mount Everest route 'blocked' by huge glacier chunk as 'Icefall doctors' called

Daring adventurers looking to climb Mount Everest have seen their route from the Nepal Base Camp blocked by an unstable and large piece of glacier as the 'Icefall doctors' are called in

[(FILES) This photograph taken on May 31, 2021 shows mountaineers climbing the Hillary Step during their ascend of the South face to summit Mount Everest (8,848.86-metre), in Nepal. The Everest has been climbed by 870 different women of 85 nationalities, some of whom have succeeded several times. The United States, India and China, among the main suppliers of men to the summit, also account for 39% of female ascents. As the sherpas, the Nepalese guides who accompany their clients to the summit, are almost all men, Nepal accounts for more than half the male ascents of Everest. But it accounts for only 9% of women's successes, with 90 ascents by 66 different women. (Photo by Lakpa SHERPA / AFP) (Photo by LAKPA SHERPA/AFP via Getty Images)]

The route to climb Mount Everest has been reportedly 'blocked' (file)(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

A route up Mount Everest has been blocked by a large chunk of glacier just as the peak season begin for adventures climbers to tackle the famous mountain.

Concern was made over the 100ft ice block that is positioned just below Camp 1 and above Base Camp in Nepal.

The unstable and giant ice block has now prompted officials to call in the 'Icefall doctors', according to the BBC. However, the only safe operation is for them to wait for the ice block, known as serac, to melt and that could take days.

Because of this, the spring climbing season has been delayed due to the 'icefall doctors' being unbale to find a way round. The team of specialised Nepali workers were therefore unable to string ropes, install ice screws, lay metal ladders and more to ensure the critical route is safe.

[Mountaineers queue up below Camp 4 on the way to the summit of Mount Everest in Nepal, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jenjen Lama)]

Climbing season has been officially delayed (file)(Image: AP)

The area of the problem is know as the Khumbu Icefall, and is the first obstacle for those looking to climb the iconic mountain.

Speaking to adventure publication Outside, Himal Gautam, the director of Nepals Department of Tourism, said: The Icefall Doctors have worked in this sector for ten years, and they think the serac will fall any day now.

[Mountaineers ascend to Camp 2 on their way to the summit of Mount Everest in Nepal, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Pasang Rinzee Sherpa)]

The route is expected to be cleared in days (file)(Image: AP)

"We have to trust them. The Government of Nepal has always placed human safety at the core of our priorities."

Usually the route would be clear by this time of the year, meaning climbers will face delays. Now all officials can do is wait as there is currently no way to melt the glacier chunk artificially.

Speaking to the BBC, Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) base camp co-ordinator Tshering Tenzing Sherpa added: "We haven't found artificial ways to melt it so far, so we don't have any options other than to wait for it melting and crumbling itself."

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