Over 200 climbers granted permits for spring everest ascent

KATHMANDU: More than 200 climbers have received permits to scale Mount Everest during the current spring season, according to Nepal’s Department of Tourism.

As of Thursday, the department has issued expedition permits to 22 teams, comprising 214 individuals—38 women and 178 men—from 31 different countries, including Nepal.

With permits in hand, climbers have already begun making their way toward Everest Base Camp.

The Department of Tourism began issuing Everest climbing permits in the third week of March.

According to department director Aarti Neupane, climbers are now heading towards their destinations in increasing numbers.

In total, the department has issued expedition permits for 17 peaks across the country this season.

These permits have generated Rs 365.8 million (approximately USD 2.7 million) in royalties for the government.

Mount Everest alone has contributed Rs 316.9 million (approximately USD 2.35 million) in revenue.

So far, 497 climbers—99 women and 398 men from 54 expedition teams—have received permits to climb various peaks across Nepal.

The route through the treacherous Khumbu Icefall has also been completed. A team of specialized “Icefall Doctors,” deployed by the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC), has finished fixing the route from Everest Base Camp to Camp II. The Department of Tourism has expressed appreciation for their exceptional efforts.

For the current climbing season, SPCC assigned a 10-member team to construct the path through the Khumbu Icefall.

From Camp II to the summit, rope-fixing responsibilities have been entrusted to the Expedition Operators Association, which has designated Eight K Expeditions to manage the task.

Spring is considered the most favorable season for mountaineering in Nepal, particularly for Everest expeditions.

Every year, this period attracts a large number of international climbers eager to take on the world’s highest peak.