KATHMANDU, May 15: A team of experienced Nepali climbers scaled Mt Everest to become the first to do so this spring season and fixed the ropes to pave the way for other summit hopefuls.

Eight members of the rope-fixing team led by Siddhi Bahadur Tamang stood atop Everest at around 1:45 pm, Tuesday. They continued a past tradition of fixing ropes for other climbers scaling the highest mountain. 

The team includes Pasdawa Sherpa, Dorji Gyaljen Sherpa, Pasang Dawa Sherpa, Dawa Norbu Sherpa, Ming Dorje Sherpa, Ang Purba Sherpa and Sangbu Sherpa. 

“The expedition season has formally started with the Sherpa team scaling Everest and fixing the ropes. Other expedition teams will now head toward the summit,” informed Mira Acharya, director of the Department of Tourism Management, from Everest Base Camp. 

Everest climbers have already assembled at base camps, waiting for their summit bids on various mountains including Everest. According to officials, the Sherpas have fixed ropes for Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu also.

Killi Pemba Sherpa, Pemba Chote Sherpa, Ang Janbu Sherpa, Dendi Sherpa and Tamtang Sherpa did the rope fixing for Lhotse. Shortly after that, 12 climbers including Pakistani national Sirbaz Khan, Greek nationals Christina Flampouri and Antonios Sykaris and Gao Li and Li Xiaolin of China climbed the peak. 

Lakpa Sherpa, Dawa Phinjo Sherpa, Phurba Sherpa, Ang Dorchi Sherpa, Furwa Dorchi Sherpa and Mingmar Sherpa similarly readied the ropes for Kanchenjunga. Likewise, Sanu Sherpa, Neema Sherpa, Chhangba Sherpa, Mu Dorchi Sherpa and Lakpa Thinduk Sherpa stood atop Makalu and fixed the ropes for other climbers waiting at lower camps. 

Traditionally, Sherpas fix ropes to the summit, set up tents at the higher camps and stockpile food, oxygen and other essentials for the foreign climbers. Hundreds of climbers are camped at Base Camp. 

This year, a record number of climbers are waiting to scale Everest. A total of 378 climbers have received permission for Everest alone. Sherpas and support staff accompany the climbers right up the mountains.

Some 2,000 individuals from 48 countries are gathered at Everest Base Camp, including Sherpas, support staff and government liaison officers. Scores of climbers are assembled at the base camps of other mountains.

 
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