Everest permit dodger arrested in Nepal

Kathmandu: A South African who attempted to climb Mount Everest without permission has been arrested in Nepal where he faces a USD 22,000 fine — double the cost of the permit he was trying to avoid.

Ryan Sean Davy handed himself in to authorities in Kathmandu on Tuesday after being caught last week hiding in a cave near Everest’s base camp without a permit.

The 43-year-old began swearing and threatening officials from the tourism department during questioning and was arrested under Nepal’s strict public order laws, Tourist Police Inspector Tulasha Khatiwada told AFP. He is now in custody and will appear in court next week to face charges related to his Everest attempt and possible additional offences over his conduct during the investigation.

“He will be fined and deported as per the Tourism Act of Nepal. He may face further penalty for misbehaving with the police,” director of the tourism department Dinesh Bhattarai told AFP.

Foreigners have to pay the Nepal government $11,000 for permission to climb the 8,848-metre (29,029-foot) peak — a major earner for the impoverished country. Under Nepali law, climbers caught without the mandatory permit are fined USD 22,000. (AFP)