It may be the tallest mountain on Earth, but conquering Everest is increasingly becoming an achievable aim due to the growth of inexperienced ‘hobby climbers’ who flock to the daunting peak.

Critics say too many people are trying to climb Everest at the same time, leaving behind huge amounts of rubbish and also making casualties inevitable. Often there are up to 200 — many of them thrill-seeking amateurs.

Clients pay around $50,000 to buy permits and equipment to traverse the 29,029 ft mountain first climbed in 1953 by New Zealander Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay.

Since Hillary’s historic ascent, about 10,000 people have tried to climb Everest, at least 2,500 successfully.

These pictures from the June issue of National Geographic highlight the booming industry which has grown up around the iconic mountain.

Last year in May, four people died after scores of people attempted to scale the peak and reach the world’s tallest mountain.

Just a few decades ago, scaling Everest was a feat attempted by only a handful of hardy and experienced mountaineers, trained to the highest fitness levels.

It has become a booming tourist industry in its own right, boosting the economy of Nepal, particularly during the climbing season from late March to the first week in June.

Anyone with the money to spare could sign up with one of the many tour operators that arrange trekking trips.

Nepali mountain officials say about 200 people will attempt to scale the summit this weekend when the next safe window of weather is expected to allow safe ascent.