KATHMANDU: Marking the centenary of the 1924 Everest Expedition, the British Embassy in Nepal hosted a gathering of Nepali and international dignitaries to celebrate the historic ties between Nepal and the UK in the realms of tourism and mountaineering.

A special photo exhibition titled “The Fight for Everest 1924” was unveiled at the Embassy premises on Tuesday, showcasing the remarkable journey of the 1924 expedition.

Initially presented at the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF), the exhibition will now find its permanent home at the International Mountain Museum (IMM) in Pokhara.

Addressing attendees at the Embassy event, Ambassador Rob Fenn highlighted the pivotal role of Nepalis in the 1924 expedition and subsequent Everest attempts.

He emphasized the enduring admiration of Britons for the courage displayed by Nepalis, which has been a driving force behind the longstanding Nepal-UK connection.

Ambassador Fenn also announced a significant development in mountaineering cooperation between the two nations: Nepali expeditions are now eligible to apply for expedition funding from the UK-based Mount Everest Foundation (MEF).

Established in 1955, the MEF has supported thousands of expeditions and scientific research endeavors in remote regions, including high-altitude medicine, glaciology, and climate change studies.

John Porter, Director and Producer of “Everest Revisited” and Honorary Secretary of MEF, expressed gratitude for the collaboration between Nepal and the UK in commemorating the 1924 expedition.

He underscored the significance of this reciprocal event and the continued partnership between the Royal Geographical Society, Alpine Club, and Nepal Mountaineering Association.

The expansion of funding criteria by MEF marks a new chapter in the mountaineering narrative between Britain and Nepal.

Ambassador Fenn and representatives from the Nepali and international tourism, trekking, and climbing sectors lauded MEF for this progressive step, further strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the two countries in the field of mountaineering.