KATHMANDU, April 15: More than 200 climbers have taken permits to climb Sagarmatha (Mt Everest), the world's highest peak, in the ongoing spring season.
The Department of Tourism said a total of 214 people, including 38 women and 178 men, from 22 expedition teams have been granted permission for the ascent as of last Thursday. The climbers from different countries have been setting off to Everest after acquiring the permits.
The department had started issuing the permits from March-end. Climbers from 31 countries, including Nepal, have taken permits for climbing Sagarmatha this season.
Icefall doctors at Everest Base Camp
According to Aarati Neupane, director of the department, the climbers are heading towards their destination.
The department has so far issued an 'Expedition Permit' for climbing 17 different mountain peaks including Mt Everest this season.
According to the latest details, a royalty amount of Rs 365.81 million has been deposited in the government account. A sum of Rs 316.98 million 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 from 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, a team of 'icefall doctors' has completed the rope fixing and opened the route through the treacherous Khumbu Icefall.
