KATHMANDU, April 6: A total of 198 mountaineers have obtained climbing permits this season, according to the Department of Tourism. Of them, 17 women and 60 men will be attempting to scale Mt Everest.
Department Director Liladhar Awasthi said permits were issued for expeditions to 29 peaks, including Everest. These include 66 climbers in six teams for Annapurna I, eight climbers for Annapurna V, 15 climbers each for Makalu and Lhotse.
Route construction to Everest Camp II underway
Tourism department issues 128 climbing permits for spring
Despite strong winds over the past two days, route construction to Camp II on Everest is ongoing. Icefall Doctors are currently placing ladders and fixing anchors in the treacherous Khumbu Icefall region. So far, four ladders and 12 anchors have been installed. Out of the 2,200 meters of route required up to Camp II, about 1,100 meters has been completed.
The Icefall Doctors, deployed by the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC), are responsible for building the route from base camp to Camp II. This season, a 10-member team has been assigned for the task.
Once the route to Camp II is complete, the Expedition Operators Association will handle rope fixing to the summit, led by an eight-member team under Ashok Lama. The rope-fixing operation is managed by 8K Expeditions.
Spring is considered the most favorable season for climbing Everest, drawing a large number of international climbers to Nepal each year.