Disabled climbers about to be banned from Everest

It's one of the world's greatest challenges, scaling the 8800 metres of Mount Everest.

But for some that challenge is about to go from being difficult to impossible.

New rules are about to be imposed restricting people with disabilities from climbing Mount Everest, and that's outraged a Kiwi double-amputee who climbed the mountain 12 years ago. 

Nepal is set to impose new restrictions on who has access to the mountain, in order to reduce the number of accidents.

If you're blind, climbing alone, or are a double amputee - you'll be banned.

Mark Inglis says reaching the summit is not about your body's ability, it's about skill and preparation. He successfully climbed the world's tallest peak as a double-amputee in 2006 and says these restrictions are targeting the wrong people.

"Most double-amputees have had to work far harder to get to climb the mountain," he told Newshub. 

"It's about making sure only competent people climb the mountain, otherwise the mountain extracts its own price really." 

He says the issue isn't about people's physical abilities or disabilities - it's about their skill level, and making sure a climber is as experienced as they claim they are before beginning the climb.

"As we all know, people lie on their CV - we do it with jobs," he said. 

"It's just that when you do it on the mountain, the consequences are far more severe." 

This year a record 648 people attempted to climb Mount Everest. About half were successful, but six people died.

According to the Himalayan database, 29 people with disabilities have attempted the climb. Fifteen reached the top, including Mr Inglis - the world's first double-amputee to do so.

Mr Inglis says Nepal's plan goes against the mantra he lives by.

"Around individuals competency not their ability or disability; that's what I've spent 35 years talking about." 

Although the mountain can still be accessed with no restrictions from the Tibetan side, from early next year Everest's revered peak will be out of reach for some of the world's most committed and passionate climbers.

Newshub.