South African man kicked out of mount Everest for climbing without permission.

South African man Ryan Sean Davy, 43, have been caught and detained by Nepalese officials and told to expect a heavy fine. He told reporters that he climbed alone to a height of 7,300m (24,000ft) before being found hiding in a cave.

Ryan Sean Davy had climbed more than 20,000 feet before being stopped by authorities.

Gyanendra Shresth, a government liason officer at Everest's Base Camp, said: "I saw him alone near base camp so I approached him and he ran away. "I followed him with my friend and found him hiding in a cave nearby. He had set up camp in an isolated place to avoid government officials."

He has apologised but complained of being treated "like a murderer".

It is extremely rare for someone to attempt climbing Everest by themselves.

The overwhelming majority of climbers only tackle the highest mountain in the world with the help of at least one guide and a well-equipped support team at base camp.

Nepal relies heavily on income generated from Everest expeditions.

The official said they had confiscated his passport on suspicion of not having an Everest permit and ordered him to go to the capital Kathmandu, where his paperwork could be reclaimed from the tourism department. But so far, the official added, Mr Davy has failed to present himself.

"He was telling us that he didn't have enough money so he would take the trekking route to reach Kathmandu," the official said.

"Although we don't know where exactly he is now we do know he's breached the law and needs to face legal consequences."

Mr Davy said on Facebook: "Expedition companies have no time for wannabe Everesters with no money so someone turned me in."

He said he had been "harassed at base camp to a point that I honestly thought I was going to get stoned to death right there".
The climber said he could expect to spend time in jail in addition to a fine of $22,000.

He said he was ashamed at not being able to not afford the permit after all the help he had received from family and supporters during his training.

Now his "stealth entry on to Everest" had been thwarted, he said, he could ask for forgiveness from "a lot of people who are really upset" with him.

BBC