KATHMANDU, Sept 29: Manaslu Peak (8,163 meters) has attracted mountaineers this autumn season. As of September 28, a total of 374 climbers—including 95 women and 279 men from 31 groups—have obtained climbing permits for Manaslu, said Himal Gautam, Director of the Department of Tourism.
According to Director Gautam, some climbers have already scaled Manaslu while others are preparing for the ascent. Last year during the same season, there were 28 climbing groups for the Manaslu expedition. Companies such as Seven Summit Treks Pvt. Ltd., Satori Adventure Pvt. Ltd., and Elite Expeditions have already reached the base camp of Manaslu.
Currently, with favorable weather, climbing on the world’s eighth-highest peak, Manaslu, along with Dhaulagiri, is ongoing. In addition, climbers have reached their destinations for mountains such as Ama Dablam, Mera Peak, and Island Peak, according to the department.
This season, a total of 667 climbers—including 152 women and 515 men from 67 countries, including Nepal—have obtained permits for 36 different mountains and peaks. According to statistics from the department’s mountaineering section, two climbing groups have received permits for Mount Everest. For Dhaulagiri, eight members of one climbing group have received permits, and for Makalu and Lhotse, the same group has been granted permission.
Royalty of more than Rs 180 million collected
According to the Department of Tourism, Rs 182,168,624 in royalties has been collected from mountain climbing so far this season. Of this, Rs 150 million has been collected in mountaineering royalties from Manaslu alone.
Director Gautam stated that the highest royalty to date has been collected from mountaineers climbing various mountains, including Manaslu, in the autumn. In the past, royalties of around Rs 70 million to Rs 80 million used to be collected in this season.
Nima Chhiring sets new record
Nima Chhiring Sherpa has set a new record by ascending Manaslu at the youngest age. He climbed Mt. Manaslu at 6:24 a.m. on September 28 at the age of 16 years, four months, and 18 days.
An 86-year-old Spanish climber also set a record by climbing Manaslu this season.
Polish adventure mountaineer Andrzej Bargiel set a record by skiing down from the summit of Mount Everest without using supplementary oxygen. He climbed Everest for skiing through Seven Summit Treks Pvt. Ltd.
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