Spring ascent of Annapurna begins with 32 successful summits

KATHMANDU: The spring season ascent of Annapurna Himal, located in the Myagdi district, has begun.

Annapurna Himal, standing at 8,091 meters, is situated in the Annapurna Municipality-4.

On the first day of the climbing season, from 8 AM to 11 AM on Monday, a total of 32 climbers, including Nepalese Sherpas and foreign mountaineers, successfully reached the summit, according to the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA).

NMA Secretary General Mohan Lamsal stated that climbers from various expeditions, such as Seven Summit Trek (9 climbers), Pioneer Adventure (8 climbers), 8K Expedition (9 climbers), Imagine Nepal (3 climbers), and Makalu Adventure (2 climbers), successfully summited Annapurna.

The favorable weather conditions on Monday allowed more climbers to reach the summit than on other days, he added.

Unfortunately, two Sherpas from the climbing team went missing due to an avalanche between Camps 2 and 3. The rest of the climbers safely returned to base camp.

Search operations involving helicopters and Sherpas are underway to find the missing Sherpas, Rima Sherpa and Nima Tasi Sherpa from Solukhumbu.

One of the climbers, Migma Sherpa, shared on social media how difficult the ascent was, with risks posed by dry conditions, crevasses, and dangerous avalanches between Camps 2 and 3.

She mentioned that it was a tough decision to push through but ultimately reached the summit, bidding farewell to the beautiful mountain.

She added that although Annapurna’s beauty has always fascinated her, she could no longer risk her life in such dangerous conditions.

This spring, a total of 66 climbers have been granted permits for the Annapurna ascent, a significant increase from last year when only 25 permits were issued.

At the Annapurna Base Camp, located at an altitude of 4,190 meters, there are numerous climbers, Sherpas, guides, laborers, and tourists present.

As of now, 520 climbers have successfully reached the summit of Annapurna, according to the Tourism Department.

Annapurna was first summited by Maurice Herzog from France in 1950.

The route he used during the first ascent has been identified and a trekking route connecting Narcyang to Base Camp has been developed in his honor.

From the center of the municipality, Pokharebagar, one can travel 22 kilometers by vehicle to reach Homkhola, from where a 21-kilometer trek leads to the Annapurna Base Camp.

The trek passes by the scenic Futfate waterfall, the attractive Panchkund Lake at the Base Camp, and the natural beauty of the Himalayas, making the region a popular new tourist destination.