In a bold move to enhance safety and cut down fatalities, Nepal is introducing a new rule for Everest aspirants - only those who've previously climbed a mountain at least 7,000 meters high will now be eligible for permits to scale Mount Everest.

This comes after a tragic 2023 season where overcrowding and inexperience led to 12 deaths and 5 missing climbers in the perilous "Death Zone."

The proposed rule also mandates that expedition leaders and mountain guides must be Nepali citizens.

While the decision is being praised for its focus on safety, international mountaineering experts are calling it restrictive, arguing that climbers with experience on non-Nepal peaks like Denali or Aconcagua should also qualify. With Nepal's mountaineering industry under pressure to maintain both safety and revenue, this rule is sparking global debate.

One thing's clear: Everest isn't for the faint-hearted, and Nepal is making sure of that.

Wanna climb Everest? Better earn it first.