KATHMANDU, April 23: The Department of Tourism (DoT) has decided to allow a maximum of 170 climbers to climb Mt Sagarmatha at a time in the spring season this year.
The department has issued a notice directing that only 150 to 170 people will be allowed to climb. Last year, when the weather was favorable, all the climbers lined up at the same time creating a traffic jam. For this spring season, the department has issued new instructions to avoid the incident.
As many as 170 climbers conquer Sagarmatha this season
This year, the department has made the ascend schedule on the basis of permission. The department has directed climbers who obtained permission through the permit letter no. 6, 7, 9, 14, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 32, 34, 36, 37 and 38 to attempt the first ascent when the weather is favorable after the routes and ropes are readied.
Similarly, in the second favorable weather, climbers who obtained permission through permit letter no. 40, 41, 43, 45, 46, 47, 49, 50, 51, 52, 55, 57, 59, 62, 63, 67 and 68 have been asked to scale the mountain. As for climbers who obtained permission via permit letter no. 72 and above, the third favorable weather for ascent has been okayed.
However, if this arrangement makes the ascent of the permitted climbers uncomfortable, the expedition management agency can arrange it by mutual consent and coordination so that the number does not increase from 170 people and without affecting the ascent, the department said.
For this, the Expedition Operator's Association should coordinate with the agency that manages mountaineering. A total of 371 people from 39 teams have taken permission to climb Mt Sagarmatha this spring season.
