KATHMANDU: On April 11, 2024, British adventurer Joshua Bregmen, 34, broke the world record for the highest altitude ski-BASE jump when he illegally skied off Mera Peak in the Mount Everest range. Bregmen did not have the necessary permissions from the Nepal Mountaineering Association or the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, despite reaching 5,716 meters during his fall and landing by parachute. His achievement beat Matthias Giraud's 4,359-meter record, which had been held by the Frenchman since 2019.
Bregmen’s attempt was conducted without the necessary ski permit from the Department of Tourism (DoT) and a climbing permit from the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). According to DoT's director, Rakesh Gurung, Bregmen's activity was illegal as he did not apply for or receive the required permits. NMA's chief administrative officer, Jinesh Sindurakar, confirmed that Bregmen also illegally hiked above the base camp without an NMA-issued climbing permit.
Skiing and paragliding in Nepal’s Himalayas are restricted without proper permits from the relevant authorities. For ski-BASE jumps, the DoT requires a permit and assigns a liaison officer for monitoring. Bregmen claimed that his mission, which he funded himself and involved significant preparation, aimed to raise awareness about human trafficking in Nepal and support charity.
Nepal's tourism and mountaineering laws are broken by unapproved operations in the Himalayas, as DoT head Gurung stressed. In case legal action is required, the department will conduct a comprehensive investigation. A message was sent for Bregmen on the situation.
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