After exciting spring, Nepal set to embrace autumn climbing

KATHMANDU: More than 100 foreign climbers along with their high attitude workers are all set to attempt to climb the world’s eighth highest peak in western Nepal, Mt Manaslu, in the autumn season (September-November) this year.

According to expedition organisers, most of the climbers visiting Nepal, a home to eight mountains above 8,000 metres, have chosen to climb the Mt Manaslu (8,163 m) while a few foreigners will be attempting to scale the Mt Lhotse (8,516 m) and the Mt Dhaulagiri (8,167 m).

The first batch of 40 climbing Sherpas today left for Manaslu base camp to prepare expedition logistics for the world climbers, Mingma Sherpa, Managing Director of Seven Summit Treks told this daily.

“The Seven Summit Treks is handling at least 60 foreign climbers representing four teams on the Mt Manaslu this season,” he added.

At least 18 foreign climbers from Asian Trekking, eight from Himalayan Guides and five from Himalayan Experience will be also heading to western Nepal in a couple of weeks to attempt to climb the Mt Manaslu, according to expedition organisers.

Depending upon the weather condition, Manaslu climbers usually aim for the final summit attempt from the last week of September to mid-October.

Besides, the Trekking Camp Nepal is organising a Korean expedition to the South Face of Mt Lhotse and Expedition Himalaya will have a foreign team of seven members on Mt Dhaulagiri this season.

“Over a dozen teams will also be heading towards Tibet from Nepal by the end of this month to attempt to climb the Mt Cho-Oyu and the Mt Shishapangma,” Jiban Ghimire, Managing Director at Shangri-La Nepal Treks said.

Officials at the Department of Tourism said that they already started collecting applications for climbing permits.

“Over hundred climbers have applied for different expedition peaks above 6,500 metres till date,” Gyanendra Shrestha, a DoT official, said, “Except eight thousanders, climbers have also been applying for other peaks including the Amadablam, the Himlung and the Putha Hiuchuli.”

The season often draws blank on the Mt Everest as high winds and heavy snowfall usually keep the climbers away from the world’s highest peak.

Recounting the record of successful summit on the Mt Everest in the last spring season, Damber Parajuli, President, Expedition Operators’ Association Nepal hoped that the autumn season would also be quite impressive in terms of quality and numbers of foreign climbers.

According to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, as many as 414 peaks are open for climbing in Nepal.