Kathmandu, April 15:

Democratic Everest Expedition — a seven-member Everest expedition — is all set to embark on the expedition of the Everest on April 18. The expedition plans to hoist the flags of eight parties and Loyalty Academy, Mandikhtar, atop the peak.

Dorjee Sherpa, a member of the team who has scaled the Everest 13 times, said: “This expedition is dedicated to our martyrs, their families and all those injured in Janandolan II and democracy.” He said the team is carrying the flags of eight parties for their contribution in ending the insurgency.

The team has Ang Nima Sherpa as the expedition leader. Ang Rita Sherpa, also known as the Snow Leopard, Ensu Rai, Tsering Phintso Sherpa, Dorjee Sherpa, Bhuwan Singh Rai and Usha Bista are members of the team.

Handing over the flags of Nepal and the Loyalty Academy to Dorjee Sherpa, Laba Prasad Tripathee, spokesperson, Ministry of Education and Sports, lauded the expedition for planning to flutter the flag of an educational institution atop the Everest. Chanting Buddhist and Hindu religious hymns, he wished the mountaineers a safe journey.