MYAGDI: Nine climbers have successfully summited Dhaulagiri I as the spring expedition season gets underway on the 8,167-metre peak in Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality-4.
Nine climbers, five Nepalis and four foreigners, successfully reached the summit on Saturday under an expedition organized by Imagine Nepal, marking the first ascent of the season.
According to the company, the successful climbers include China’s Liu Hong, Liu Yishi, Wang Zhong, Switzerland’s Christine Vogondi, and Nepali climbers Fur Gyalzen Sherpa, Pasang Namgel Sherpa, Kili Pemba Sherpa, Ngima Nuru Sherpa, and Pemba Chiri Sherpa.
Team leader Fur Gyalzen Sherpa said the group reached the summit at 11:40 pm on Saturday and safely returned to the third base camp. He added that Sherpa guides had earlier fixed ropes through the snowy route, enabling the ascent.
The Department of Tourism said 28 climbers (12 women and 16 men) across three teams have obtained permits for this spring season. According to branch officer Sharmila Banjade, the department has collected Rs 12.56 million in royalties from permit fees. Last autumn, 36 climbers had received permits for Dhaulagiri expeditions.
Climbing Dhaulagiri I is considered highly challenging due to its rapidly changing weather and technical difficulty, making it one of the more dangerous Himalayan peaks.
The mountain was first successfully summited on May 13, 1960, by an Austrian expedition led by Kurt Diemberger, along with Peter Diener, Ernst Forrer, Albin Schelbert, Nima Dorje and Nawang Dorje.
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