Prior to the ascent, the government of Nepal announced that protesters would be shot:

Nepal has given its security personnel permission to shoot pro-Tibet demonstrators during China’s Olympic flame climb to Mount Everest’s summit early next month.

“About 25 soldiers and policemen have established camps on the mountain and they have been ordered to use force if necessary to stop any anti-Chinese activities,” Mod Raj Dotel, spokesman for the home ministry, said Sunday. “This could mean shooting if necessary.”

Security personnel will also check mountain climbers for non-essential expedition materials, Dotel added.

“If anyone is found with anti-Chinese material their permit will be canceled and returned from the mountain,” he said.

So in keeping with the international spirit of the games, Chinese communists and their toadies in Nepal have turned Everest into a high altitude police state.

Update: some reaction to the Olympic torch atop Everest from climbers.

From newclimber.com

in climbing news today, china torches mount everest to distract the world from beijing’s oppressive occupation of tibet.

From MountEverest.net

“The moment I saw the torch lit on top of Mount Everest I felt very hurt,” a Tibetan told Reuters and his feelings were shared by many around the world.

More from MountEverest.net

After 50 years of occupation, characterized by systematic and gross abuse of human rights, the Chinese propaganda fire is burning hot on top of Tibet’s sacred Mother Earth.