Fears that the world's highest peak may be closed off altogether come as China prepares to put the Olympic torch on the summit and seeks to avoid any embarrassing protests following a wave of unrest in Tibet.

Major expeditions planning to scale the summit from the north -- the route China will use to carry the torch to the roof of the world -- have already been cancelled after failing to secure permits from Beijing.

Furthermore, China has banned foreigners from Tibet until further notice following a wave of protests and rioting.

Authorities in Nepal, reportedly under pressure from China to keep the mountain clear from their side, are also holding back from issuing permits.

"We are very worried and confused as we have not yet received any concrete decision from the government," said expedition organiser Ishwori Poudel.

Officials in Kathmandu, the nerve centre of Himalayan climbing, said Nepal's government could still allow climbs from the south side of the peak -- albeit with a slew of restrictions that would satisfy China's concerns.

These include stipulating that no climber on the Nepal side of the peak be allowed anywhere near the summit between May 1-10 -- about the time when the Chinese torch team plans to make it to the top.

The problem is that the main Everest climbing season is in May, when a favourable change in weather conditions creates a window of opportunity of only two weeks or less.

"We don't want to see any anti-China protest on Everest when Chinese authorities are taking up the torch on top of Everest from their side," Nepal's Tourism Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung told AFP.

Nepal's foreign minister, Sahana Pradhan, confirmed her country was wary of upsetting its giant northern neighbour.

"The Olympic flame is very important for China and we know we have to do everything to help them have a successful Olympics," she said, adding the decision was in the interests of "a good neighbourly relationship" with Beijing.

Kathmandu appears to be hesitating over a decision on whether or not it will issue permits.

"Government officials at a cabinet meeting will make a decision on Everest, but nobody is certain when that meeting will take place," said expedition organiser Poudel, whose firm has 55 clients who have paid tens of thousands of dollars each and are awaiting news.

Time is quickly running out as tackling Everest requires weeks of preparation by Sherpas who have to lay hundreds of ladders across the Khumbu Icefall -- the dangerous maze of ice just above base camp -- as well as lay out kilometres of rope alone the route.

"Sherpas were sent to fix ladders and ropes on the route at the start of March, but tourism ministry officials have stopped them working, and we are still waiting to hear when we can start," Poudel added.

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