KATHMANDU: A total of 135 climbers successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest in one day (May 18) as weather conditions improved, according to the Department of Tourism.
The achievement marks one of the busiest summit days of the current spring climbing season.
The Department’s temporary office at Everest Base Camp reported that clear weather allowed many climbers to ascend the peak today.
Favorable conditions are also expected to continue, with more climbers preparing to attempt the summit today (Monday).
“The maximum summit push was scheduled for May 18, which is why so many climbers made it to the top today,” said Himal Gautam, Director at the Department of Tourism.
While weather disruptions had delayed earlier attempts, the past three days have seen a steady rise in successful ascents.
Gautam also noted that over 200 climbers have summited Everest so far this season, with more still on their way to the top.
Notable among today’s summiteers is record-holding photojournalist Purnima Shrestha, who reached the Everest summit for the fifth time this morning, as confirmed by Satori Adventure Pvt. Ltd. Shrestha previously set a world record by scaling Everest three times in a single season last year.
Shrestha, who is from Aarughat Rural Municipality-10 in Gorkha, first climbed Everest in 2018.
So far this spring, 468 climbers—382 men and 86 women—from 47 different expedition teams have received permits to climb Everest, according to the Department of Tourism.
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