14 climbers permitted for Dhaulagiri ascent this autumn

KATHMANDU: The Department of Tourism has given permission to 14 persons for the autumn ascent of the Dhaulagiri peak located in the district.

The seventh tallest mountain of the world at 8,167 metres, Dhaulagiri is located at Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality-4. Fourteen male climbers have taken permit for the autumn ascent.

The Department collected over Rs 1.6 in royalty from the summiteers.

Last summer, three groups of climbers- 22 males and eight females- had taken permit for the climbing. The government had collected Rs 7.1 million in royalty then.

Ward member of Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality-4, Hari Prasad Tilija, who is also a hotelier at Itali basecamp, informed that the climbers including Sherpa guides, porters and assistants began arriving at the base camp after receiving permits.

The latest data at the Tourism Department maintained that in the current season, a total of 275 climbers including 88 women from 54 countries were given permit.

Over Rs 45 million was generated as revenue from them.

Each foreign climber needs to submit 900 US dollars for permission to tread over the peaks of over 8,000 metres.

In addition to the Dhaulagiri peak, there are other standing with snowcaps- Putha Himchuli, Annapuran IV, Thakar Go East, Pungi, Kumbhakarna, Araniko Chuli, Api and Makalu.