Nepal Opens Everest for Climbing as Rope Fixers Reach Summit

The Everest climbing season kicked off this Friday, when a team of rope-fixers successfully reached the summit from Nepal earlier than usual, according to reports. A team from 8K Expeditions established the route to the world's highest peak, standing at 8,848.86 metres, confirmed Himal Gautam, Director of Nepal’s Department of Tourism.

The Himalayan Times quoted 8K Expeditions, which stated, “Under the coordination of the Expedition Operators Association of Nepal (EOA), our elite 8K rope-fixing team successfully fixed the ropes to the top today – unlocking an early and extended summit window under stable weather conditions."

“This achievement not only marks the official start of the Everest season, but also enhances climber safety, reduces traffic, and provides greater flexibility for summit attempts in the coming days,”  the statement read.

The team included seasoned climbers Tsering Pemba Sherpa, Ashok Lama, Pem Nurbu Sherpa, Tashi Sherpa, Karma Gyaljen Sherpa, Tashi Gyalzen Sherpa, and Pas Tenzi Sherpa. 

Typically, the climbing season occurs in a narrow window in May, ending before the summer monsoon’s dangerous weather arrives. So far, the Department of Tourism reports that around 450 climbers from over 50 countries have been granted permits to attempt Everest this spring, including 75 Indians, among them 12 women.

Nepal’s government has collected approximately Nepalese Rs 653.8 million in permits for this season. Many climbers have already reached Everest Base Camp and are heading further up, aiming for the summit, while in an effort to reduce fatalities at altitude, the country is also considering restricting Everest expeditions to those who have climbed at least one peak above 7,000 metres.