In a recent development, celebrated climber Nirmal ‘Nims’ Purja has encountered yet another obstacle in his adventurous pursuits. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has declined to grant him permission for skydiving in the Everest region.
A team of foreign skydivers, along with organizers from Nimsdai Skydive, had already arrived in Namche Bazaar to prepare for this thrilling adventure. However, CAAN sources confirmed that the regulator has now refused to allow Nimsdai Skydive to perform a jaw-dropping 23,000-foot free fall above the mountainous terrain.
Nims had planned to kick off his skydiving event in the Everest region from May 25 to 29. The team was scheduled to take a helicopter flight above 23,000 feet on Mt. Everest and land at Syangboche, a drop zone situated at a staggering 12,400 feet.
CAAN officials emphasized that this decision is rooted in aviation safety concerns. They raised questions about accountability in case of any incidents involving jumpers or gliders after they leap from the helicopter. CAAN issues air operator certificates, obliging operators to adhere to and maintain flight operations according to the provisions of AOC requirements, ensuring compliance with International Civil Aviation Authority standards.
Despite the absence of specific rules governing adventure sports like skydiving in the Everest region, CAAN has maintained its stance. The official highlighted the need to establish specific regulations for specialized operations beyond commercial air transport. Such operations include activities like agriculture, construction, photography, surveying, observation, patrol, and aerial advertising.
Interestingly, last November, at least 12 skydivers—including world champion Espen Fadnes and Nims himself—successfully skydived in the Everest region. The circumstances under which they obtained clearance from CAAN to ascend into the skies using the Eurocopter AS350 remain a mystery.
In the previous Nimsdai Skydive event, participants included Nims, Kevin Thomas McNally, Micheal Andrew French, Danielle Hunt, Stephen Handley, Samuel Peter Stevens, Richard Jason Hughes, Espen Fadnes, Amber Couise Forte, Johannes Bergtors, Valeriya Alford (Female), and Om Kumar Poudel.
This time, more than 10 jumpers, including Nims and Brazilian skydiver Luiza Ferrari, were planning to leap from the helicopter with their Nimsdai canopies, according to sources.
