Kathmandu: More than Rs 770 million has been collected from mountaineering royalty during the spring season this year, the Department of Tourism stated.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the Department’s mountaineering division reported that by Sunday, a total of Rs 773 million 587 thousand and 915 in royalties had been collected from mountaineering during the spring this year. A significant portion of this, Rs 676 million 92 thousand and 28, was collected as mountaineering royalty from Mt Everest alone.
A total of 1,127 mountaineers, including 240 women and 887 men from 119 expeditions, received climbing permits for 26 mountain peaks, including the highest peak, Mt Everest. Director of the Department, Liladhar Awasthi, confirmed that the highest number of climbers-456, including 84 women and 372 men-from 45 expeditions have obtained climbing permits for Mt Everest. These climbers hail from 57 different countries.
In addition, the data shows that 102 climbers from 10 expeditions have taken permits for climbing Mt Ama Dablam, 107 from nine expeditions for ascending Mt Lhotse, 79 from eight expeditions for climbing Mt Makalu, 75 from seven groups for the ascent on Mt Kanchenjunga, 76 from six groups for climbing Mt Nuptse, and 66 mountaineers from six expeditions for ascending Mt Annapurna this spring season. Spring is traditionally considered the most suitable season for mountain climbing, including for Mount Everest.
Since the mountaineering permits are still being issued, the Department estimates that the number could increase further.