KATHMANDU: Record holding climbers including Nima Rinji Sherpa and Chhang Dawa Sherpa among others have already reached the base camp of Mt Annapurna to attempt to climb the world's tenth highest peak in the spring season.
"We are now at the base camp doing acclimatization rotations for the summit push," Chhang Dawa Sherpa, Expedition Leader from Seven Summit Treks, told THT from the base camp this afternoon. A fixing team mobilized by SST will head for Camp III tomorrow to establish a climbing route and climbers will make their final summit push early next week depending on weather conditions, Chhang Dawa, who is also preparing for a summit attempt, shared. The fixing team includes Pasang Nurbu Sherpa, Nima Tashi Sherpa, Pasang Sherpa, Ming Temba Sherpa and Chhepal Sherpa.
Among the climbers, 17-year-old Nima Rinji Sherpa from Sangkhuwasabha is aiming to complete his 11 peak above 8,000m. "In an aim to be the youngest climber to scale all 14 peaks, Nima Rinji Sherpa along with his climbing partner Pasang Nurbu Sherpa is eying for Annapurna summit next week before he heads for Mt Shisha Pangma, Mt Kanchenjunga and Mt Makalu," Chhang Dawa said. Nima Rinji has already set multiple records including the world's youngest to traverse Everest and Lhotse as well as the youngest climber to scale Lhotse, Manaslu real summit and K2 among others.
Allie Pepper, 48, from the Blue Mountains in Sydney, is also preparing for her spring ascent on the world's 10th highest peak this spring season. On her mission ''The Respect Above the Clouds 14 Peaks No O2'', she is now on Mt Annapurna preparing for a summit push, Chhang Dawa shared. She began her project from July 2023 by climbing Broad peak in Pakistan and later Mt Manaslu in September 2023 while she has to complete 12 remaining peaks by the end of July 2025.
According to the Department of Tourism, at least 24 foreign climbers including 10 women representing two teams have obtained climbing permits for Mt Annapurna till date. Over 50 climbers including Sherpa guides and support staff have already reached the base camp for acclimatization rotation, SST's expedition leader Chhang Dawa said.
