KATHMANDU: The year’s main climbing season has begun in style as more than 300 foreign climbers are expected to attempt to scale the world’s highest peak from Nepal side in the spring season, according to expedition organisers.

Talking to THT, local expedition handling agencies in Kathmandu shared that they had already confirmed bookings from over 300 foreign climbers who will start arriving Nepal to begin their climbing activities early next month. At least 100 foreign climbers have already confirmed that they would be attempting to climb Mt Lhotse, the world’s fourth highest mountain, this season, they added.

Mingma Sherpa, Chairman at Seven Summits Treks, claimed that his company would be leading at least five expedition teams having over 60 foreigners on Mt Everest this spring. “At least 60 climbers will attempt Mt Everest from Nepal side while more than 65 mountaineers will be on other peaks, including Mt Lhotse, Mt Makalu and Mt Annapurna, this season,” he said.

Kenton Cool in the Mt Everest Base Camp. Photo: Twitter/KentonCool

Trash being collected by Alpine Ascent International climber from lower icefall section on Mt Everest. Photo: Ben Jones

File - This image shows Kami Rita Sherpa from Thame village of Solukhumbu district. Sherpa scaled Mt Everest for the 21st time. Photo: Facebook

Renowned climber Ben Jones from Alpine Ascents International would be leading a group of foreign mountaineers on Mt Everest this season, Jiban Ghimire, Managing Director at Shangri-La Nepal Treks said. According to him, his company will be handling at least 18 foreign climbers including F45 fitness trainer Crystal Lovell on Mt Everest while there would be 15 more foreign climbers on Mt Nuptse this season.

Govinda Gurung, Managing Director at TAG Nepal Treks said that his company would have at least 29 foreign climbers on Mt Everest and five more on Mt Lhotse. Michael Hamill from ‘Climbing The Seven Summits’ along with Tendi Sherpa, an IFMGA guide and co-owner of TAG Nepal, would be leading the teams of climbers this season, he added.

“There will be at least 27 foreign climbers attempting to climb Mt Everest from our company,” Dawa Steven Sherpa, Managing Director at Asian Trekking said.

Ang Jangbu Sherpa, owner of Beyul Adventure Pvt Ltd, said that there would be at least 22 foreign climbers from the International Mountain Guides on Mt Everest this season. “We have already dispatched the climbing logistic to the Everest region,” he said, adding that his company would also run a five-member expedition on Mt Lhotse this season.

Pasang Sherpa, Chairman at Pioneer Adventure Pvt Ltd, informed that at least 17 foreign climbers would be attempting to climb Mt Everest from his company this season. “Besides, there will be four more climbers on Mt Lhotse and 11 on Mt Makalu,” he added.

Christopher Pollack, owner of Myrmidon Expeditions, along with Himalayan Ski Treks would be handling an exciting expedition with at least nine members on Mt Everest this season. “Among the foreign climbers, former US Marine Kirstie Ennis from Colorado will also be attempting to climb the world’s highest peak aiming to be the first woman with a leg amputated above the knee to stand atop Mt Everest,” Chris told THT.

Nima Tenji Sherpa, co-owner of Kaitu Expedition Pvt Ltd, said that his company would be leading a 14-member expedition of foreign climbers on Mt Everest. Sherpa, the renowned record-holder climber, will also be part of the expedition team.

According to Rishi Bhandari, Managing Director at Satori Adventure Pvt Ltd, there would be 12 foreign climbers attempting to climb Mt Everest and nine more on Mt Lhotse from his company. “Interestingly, at least 10 Slovenians will also be coming here to attempt to climb Mt Chamlang, a 7,321-metre peak in Barun valley this season,” he informed.

Mingma Gyalje Sherpa, Managing Director at Imagine Treks, said that his company would be handling at least 10 foreign climbers on Mt Everest while five more on Mt Lhotse and eight on Mt Makalu in the season.

Thupden Sherpa, Director at Arjun Treks shared that there at least seven foreign climbers from his company will be attempting to climb Mt Everest from Nepal side while 16 more in the North. According to Murray Sharma at Everest Parivar Treks, his company will have at least seven climbers including Dan Mazur of Summit Climb on Mt Everest and 14 more on Mt Lhotse this season.

Himalaya Expedition will be running a 12-member Indian Army’s expedition led by Jay Prakash Kumar on Mt Everest while Shiva Raj Thapa, MD at Summit Nepal Treks shared that his company would have seven foreign climbers on Mt Everest and two more on Mt Lhotse.

Da Dendi Sherpa, Managing Director at Glacier Himalaya Treks and Expedition, said that his company would have at least four climbers including Kyoko Iwata, 42, from Japan on Mt Everest. Kyoko had scaled Mt Manaslu last September within six days.

Managing Director at Prestige Adventure Damber Parajuli said that there would be six foreign climbers from his company attempting to climb the world’s highest peak this season while Ngima Dendi Sherpa of Happy Feet Treks said that he would run a four-member expedition on Mt Everest.

Record holder climber Phurba Tenjing Sherpa who runs Dreamers Destination Treks shared that at least eight foreign climbers from his company would be heading to Mt Everest this season while Trekking Camp Nepal would have one member on Mt Everest.

Wangchu Sherpa, Managing Director at Trekking Camp Nepal said that  Korean mountaineer Sung Taek Hong, who is also one of the National Geographic explorers, would be returning to Mt Lhotse this season to attempt to climb the world’s fourth highest peak from the south face. “Being a part of seven-member team, he will be making his seventh attempt to climb the Lhotse south face,” he said.

Besides, Ang Lama of Angs Himalayan Adventure shared that he would be leading a team of three Nepali women climbers to the summit of Mt Everest. “I have decided to support two widows — Furdiki Sherpa and Nima Doma Sherpa — to complete the unfinished ascents of their husbands this season,” Lama told THT.

The first Latin American woman to summit Mt K2, Viridiana Alvarez, is also attempting to climb Mt Everest without supplemental oxygen this spring. Electrical Engineer Sirak Seyoum wants to become first Ethiopean to climb Mt Everest while UK’s Royal Marine Lieutenant Colonel Joe Winch will also be coming here to attempt to climb the world’s highest peak this season. Joe had reportedly been diagnosed with acute complex post-traumatic stress disorder following an accident in Afghanistan in 2006, according to expedition organisers.

Rameshwor Niraula at the  Department of Tourism said that DoT has been collecting applications from different teams for Mt Everest and other mountains.