KATHMANDU: More than 200 climbers including HIV-infected Gopal Shrestha from Pokhara successfully scaled Mt Everest this morning.

According to Gyanendra Shrestha, a liaison officer at the base camp, the world climbers made it to the summit since early morning as they found the second weather window to make final summit push on Mt Everest this season.

“HIV-infected Gopal Shrestha, 54, along with Dakipa Sherpa from Dreamers Destination Treks stood atop the summit point at around 8:00 am,” he said. Shrestha, a resident of Ratnachowk in Pokhara scaled the mountain spreading awareness about HIV/Aids and drug abuses, he added.

Shrestha, who contracted the disease through syringe injection some 23 years ago, had also attempted to climb Mt Everest in 2015 but had to abandon his bid from the base camp following the devastating earthquake that struck Nepal killing over 9,000 people.

A record-holder climber Phurba Tenjing Sherpa also scaled Mt Everest for the 14th time, he said adding that three Chinese nationals - Yin Hung Tsang, Liyamu Ma, Sun Ningning -  belonging to ‘First Chinese Women Everest Expedition 2019’ also climbed Mt Everest with the help of Phurba Tenjing.

Nima Tenji Sherpa, Managing Director at Kaitu Expedition Pvt Ltd shared from the base camp that Chinese climbers including Zhang Baolong, Yue Wei, Yu Shui, Mai Guiqing, Mao Jianong, Lu Haichuan, Wang Hui, Wang Zhen, Yin Shuai, Ru Zhigang, Li Huangying, and Guo Wenjing from his company also stood atop the roof of the world.

“Four IFMGA guides - Pema Chhiring Sherpa, Mingma Chhiri Sherpa, Vinayak J Malla and Suman Gurung – as well as Dawa Tashi Sherpa, Mingma Dorji Sherpa, Ang Pemba Sherpa, Ngawang Tenjing Sherpa, Pasang Ngima Sherpa, Pemba Chhiri Sherpa, Pur Bahadur Gurung, Iman Gurung, Kanchha Nuru Sherpa, Pasang Sona Sherpa, Ang Dawa Sherpa and Bisnu Gurung scaled Mt Everest along with the Chinese expedition members,” Sherpa said. According to him, Chinese climber Chen Tao along with Chhiring Namgyal Sherpa from Kaitu Expedition scaled Mt Lhotse without using supplemental oxygen this morning.

Rishi Bhandari, Managing Director at Satori Adventures Pvt Ltd, told THT that at least five expedition members along with seven climbing Sherpas from his company also scaled Mt Everest this morning.

“Japanese climber Saeki Tomohiko, Lai Lok Kei Rocky, Lo Chak Sum, Cheung Chi Fai and Tong Chi Keung from Hong Kong along with Pasang Dawa Sherpa, Nsawang Rapke Sherpa, Lhakpa Tshiring Sherpa, Tshiring Chosang Sherpa, Rinjin Palden Sherpa, Phurba Gyaljen Sherpa and Tashi Thundu Sherpa scaled Mt Everest,” he said.

Seven Summit Treks reported that Chinese climbers including Chang Jian, Fan Bo, Tang Feng, Yang Tao,  Ge Shuiqin, Liu Yutong, and Xu Jingmei as well as Harish Wu from US, Sona Sherpa, Tashi Sherpa, Phurba Sherpa, Ngima Dorchi Sherpa, Ang Tenji Sherpa, Pasang Nurbu Sherpa, Pemba Thinduk Sherpa and Nga Tashi Sherpa reached the summit point on Mt Everest this morning.

Yesterday, at least 40 climbers stood atop the world’s highest peak, Shrestha informed.