KATHMANDU, MARCH 18

With the start of the spring climbing season, preparations are in full swing to smoothly manage expeditions on various mountains, including Mt. Everest, the world's highest peak.

The Expedition Operators Association of Nepal (EOAN) today handed over ropes and necessary assignments to 8K Expeditions Pvt. Ltd. to build summit routes on Mt. Everest and Mt. Lhotse. The equipment was handed over today (Tuesday) during a special ceremony held in Thamel, with the presence of Expedition Operators' Association President Dambar Parajuli, Senior Vice President of the Nepal Mountaineering Association Thakurraj Pandey, General Secretary of the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal Sonam G. Sherpa, and General Secretary of the Expedition Operators' Association Rishi Bhandari, along with Lhakpa Sherpa, the Managing Director of 8K Expeditions, and leader Ashok Lama's team.

The EOAN has assigned 8K Expeditions to fix routes to the summits of both Everest and Lhotse this season. The responsibility for clearing the path and installing ropes for the Everest and Lhotse expeditions for Spring 2025 has been handed over to a team of eight Sherpa guides, led by Aspiring Guide Ashok Lama including team members Karma Gyaljen Sherpa, Pem Nurbu Sherpa, Ming Dawa Sherpa, Tashi Sherpa, Pasa Rinjee Sherpa, Pashtanjen Sherpa, and Tashi Nurbu Sherpa.

As one of the country's largest expedition operators, 8K Expeditions has taken on the responsibility of fixing the route from Camp II to the summit of both Mt. Everest and Mt. Lhotse, said Lakpa Sherpa, Managing Director of 8K Expeditions.

The 8K team plans to deploy a group of trained climbers to fix ropes from Camp II to the summits of Everest and Lhotse, added Lakpa, who is also the expedition leader of the company.

'Our team will leave no stone unturned to ensure a safe route in the death zone of Everest and Lhotse this season, as this responsibility is directly connected to the lives of hundreds of climbers,' said Lakpa.

'The 8K team will take on this responsibility with high dedication and sincerity,' Sherpa added, noting that his company will host over 50 foreign climbers on Mt. Everest this season alone.

Depending on weather conditions, the team aims to complete rope fixing before the second week of May. Trained climbing guides of the fixing teams will thoroughly monitor the situation above Camp II and begin fixing ropes towards the summits of Everest and Lhotse, he explained. 'We plan to set routes both on Everest and Lhotse on the same day depending on weather conditions,' he added.

The Department of Tourism has assigned icefall doctors from the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) to fix the route from the base camp to Camp II on Mt. Everest. 'Once the SPCC team completes rope fixing up to Camp II, the 8K team will begin its work,' Lakpa said.

According to Tshering Sherpa, Chief Executive Officer of SPCC, an eight-member team of icefall doctors has already reached the base camp to begin rope fixing along the treacherous icefall section of Mt. Everest.

The Department of Tourism reports that more than 600 climbers, including over 450 on Everest, along with climbing guides and support staff, will be using the climbing routes on Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse this spring season.

According to Pempa Sherpa, the Executive Director of 8K Expeditions, the team will depart for the Everest Base Camp on March 21.