KATHMANDU, Dec 12: The number of people obtaining permits for mountain climbing this autumn (August – December) has decreased compared to last year. Only 2,245 climbers have secured permits for mountain climbing in the autumn season this year.
According to the Department of Tourism (DoT), 4,407 people obtained climbing permits for various 54 peaks in last year's autumn, but this season only 2,245 climbers have secured permits. This season 1,943 male and 301 female climbers from different countries have received permits for climbing various 47 peaks. Among them, 543 men and 82 women have successfully ascended various mountains. Last year, 1,071 men and 87 women climbers successfully reached the summits of different peaks during the same season.
The director and spokesperson of the DoT, Kalibahadur Bhujel, stated that while the number of climbers has fluctuated, there has been a slight decrease this season. He remarked, "Climbing mountains is not a trivial matter. Only those with strong determination dare to undertake it." Bhujel added that according to the department's projections, climbers have arrived this season as anticipated, and they expect an increase in the number of climbers during the spring season.
He stated that the DoT conducts studies in advance to determine how many climbers come to climb mountains each season, and considering the number of permits issued this season, it should be regarded as satisfactory.
Tourism department starts issuing climbing permits for autumn
It is speculated that more climbers obtained permits from the DoT last year due to a sudden influx of people in the initial year of reopening for mountain climbing after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sources assess that the recent uncertain natural disasters in the country, along with various air and road accidents, may have also impacted tourists. Additionally, they believe that the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict between Israel and Palestine have influenced climbers wishing to visit Nepal.
Additionally, the sources mentioned that with China and Pakistan also opening permits for mountain climbing, some climbers have shifted their focus there. They estimate that the state's inability to effectively promote mountainous tourism internationally, along with the challenges faced by tourism businesses in selling climbing packages, may have also contributed to the decrease in the number of climbers.
The number of climbers varies by season. In the autumn season, there are many climbers on Manaslu and Ama Dablam, while in the spring season, there are more climbers on Mount Everest. In this context, the DoT has collected Rs 88.997 million in revenue from 2,244 people in 163 groups this season.
In this season, eight climbers have tragically lost their lives during expeditions. Among them, five climbers died while attempting to summit Dhaulagiri, and one each from Kumbhakarna, Pandhra, and Langtang Lirung, bringing the total to five climbers who have perished this season.
According to the information provided by the DoT, discussions have been held repeatedly between the department and agencies regarding bringing the bodies of climbers who lost their lives during their expeditions to Kathmandu. In this context, the bodies of five Russian nationals who died on Dhaulagiri and one individual who died on Langtang Lirung have been handed over to their relatives through the respective embassies.
A group of 14 male climbers obtained permits to ascend Dhaulagiri (8,167 meters), of which two successfully reached the summit, while seven climbers canceled their ascent and returned from the route, during the autumn season this year.
In the fiscal year 2024/25 eight tourists from six countries have been rescued. According to the DoT, two tourists from India, two from Malaysia, and one each from France, China, the Philippines, and the United States were rescued after encountering problems while traveling to various mountainous regions.
Tourists who engage in mountain climbing and trekking in high Himalayan regions play a crucial role in the development and expansion of the country's tourism. Comparatively, tourists involved in mountain climbing and trekking generate significantly more economic activity than those in other areas of tourism, which is why the number of climbers directly impacts the overall tourism sector.
