Khumbu Icefall route readied for ascent to Mt Everest

KATHMANDU: More than 200 climbers have taken permit to climb Sagarmatha (Mt Everest), the world’s tallest peak, in the spring season.

The Department of Tourism said a total of 214 people, including 38 women and 178 men, of 22 mountaineering expeditions have been granted permission till Thursday.

The climbers from different countries have been setting off to the Everest after acquiring the permission.

The Department had started issuing the permits from March-end. Climbers from 31 countries, including Nepal, have taken permits for climbing Sagarmatha this season.

According to Aarati Neupane, director of the Department, the climbers are heading towards their destination.

The Department has so far issued ‘Expedition Permit’ for climbing 17 different mountain peaks including Mt Everest.

According to the latest details, royalty amount of Rs 365.815 million has been deposited in the government account through mountaineering.

A sum of Rs 316 million 986 million and 28 has been collected as royalty from issuance of permits to climb Sagarmatha alone.

So far, a total of 497 climbers, including 99 women and 398 men of 54 mountaineering groups, have taken permission from the Department to climb various mountain peaks.

The opening of the climbing route up to Khumbu Icefall has been completed.

According to the Department, the ‘icefall doctors’ have completed the rope fixing and opened the route through the Khumbu Icefall.