Kathmandu: More than 200 climbers have taken permits to climb Sagarmatha (Mt Everest), the world’s tallest peak, in the spring season. The Department of Tourism said a total of 214 people, including 38 women and 178 men, from 22 mountaineering expeditions have been granted permission till Thursday. The climbers from different countries have been setting off to Everest after acquiring the permission.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the Department had started issuing the permits from March-end. Climbers from 31 countries, including Nepal, have taken permits for climbing Sagarmatha this season. Aarati Neupane, director of the Department, mentioned that the climbers are heading towards their destination.
The Department has so far issued ‘Expedition Permits’ for climbing 17 different mountain peaks, including Mt Everest. According to the latest details, a royalty amount of Rs 365.815 million has been deposited in the government account through mountaineering. A sum of Rs 316 million 986 million and 28 has been collected as royalty from the 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, the ‘icefall doctors’ have completed the rope fixing and opened the route through the Khumbu Icefall.