Spring expedition to Everest has begun with eight Nepali climbers completing the works of rope-fixing along the climbing route.
The group reached the top of the world’s highest peak measuring 8,848 meters at 1:45 pm, fixing the climbing ropes successfully which marks the first ascent of the season to the peak. With this, the route is opened for other aspiring climbers.
According to director general at the Department of Tourism, Danduraj Ghimire, the completion of rope fixation has paved the way for the season’s climbing. The team of experienced Nepali climbers led by Siddhi Bahadur Tamang carried out the rope-fixing. Other members in the team are Pasa Dawa Sherpa, Doji Gyaljen Sherpa and Dawa Norbu Sherpa of Solukhumbu; and Ming Dorjee Sherpa, Ang Phurba Sherpa and Sangbu Bhote Lama of Sankhuwasabha.
Government liaison officer Gyanendra Shrestha from the Everest base camp said that the team’s expedition was facilitated by Himalayan Guides Nepal, Trek and Expedition Pvt Ltd and Medicine Mountaineering Expedition – 2019 while the rope-fixing was contracted by the Expedition Operators Association. The work to open the route up to the Camp II was assigned to the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC).
According to the Department, a total of 41 teams --35 of foreigners and six domestic groups-- comprising 378 people are attempting to scale the world’s highest peak this season while 842 people from 48 countries including Nepal of different 106 groups have been granted permission to climb 28 several mountain peaks including Everest this season.
The government collected royalty of about Rs 500 million from the climbing permits this season and the highest portion (some 44 million) is from the Everest climbing permits.
