KATHMANDU, JANUARY 12 The third edition of the Tenzing Norgay Sherpa Open Climbing Competition will be organised on May 29, 2026, organisers announced, rescheduling the event to coincide with the anniversary of the first successful ascent of Mount Everest by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary. Jointly organised by the US Nepal Climbers Association (USNCA) and the Nepal National Mountain Guide Association (NNMGA), the competition will take place at the Crimpanzee Adventure Hub in Bouddha. The event was originally scheduled for January 29. Announcing the new date at a press meet, NNMGA President Tulsing Gurung said the rescheduling was intended to align the competition with a historically significant day in Nepali mountaineering. He said the event aims to promote sport climbing while providing a competitive platform for climbers of all levels. The competition will feature separate men's and women's categories, with cash prizes for the top three finishers in each group. Gurung said organisers are considering the introduction of lead climbing this year, expanding beyond the top-rope format used in previous editions. USNCA Founding President and event coordinator Serap Jangbu Sherpa said the competition is also intended to encourage interest in mountaineering and support the growth of adventure tourism in Nepal. He added that future editions may include additional disciplines such as lead climbing, speed climbing and bouldering. 'This will expand the competition's scope and provide more opportunities for climbers to showcase their skills across different disciplines,' Sherpa added. In a public announcement, the NNMGA invited climbers, organisations and the general public to mark May 29 on their calendars and attend the event, describing it as a tribute to the enduring legacy of the late Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and a celebration of climbing culture in Nepal.