KATHMANDU: With the start of main climbing season, an eight-member team of icefall doctors today left for the Mt Everest base camp from Namche Bazaar to fix a climbing route up to Camp II in the world's highest peak.
The team led by Ang Sarki Sherpa along with two kitchen staff would reach the base camp in a couple of days, Tshering Sherpa, Chief Executive Officer at Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC), said.
The team will fix and maintain the Khumbu icefall route for climbers attempting Mt Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse in the spring 2025 climbing season.
The team includes icefall doctors; Ang Sarki Sherpa (team leader A), Dawa Jangbu Sherpa (team leader B), Dawa Nuru Sherpa, Nima Tenzi Sherpa, Dawa Chhiri Sherpa, Lakpa Sona Sherpa, Mingma Gyalzen Sherpa and Thendu Sherpa. The team also includes kitchen staff - Ngawang Thanten and Wangdi Gelbu Sherpa, according to SPCC.
SPCC has been assigned to handle icefall doctors and garbage in the Everest region by the government. Annually, SPCC deploys a team of icefall doctors at the base camp to fix a climbing route after world climbers planned to summit different peaks, including Mt Everest, in the spring climbing season.
The experienced ice doctors will start opening climbing routes by fixing ladders and ropes for the main climbing season, Sherpa informed. "The team will begin rope fixing work in the treacherous icefall section after conducting a ground survey by early next week," he added.
According to him, over the next three months, the team will work tirelessly to construct and maintain the Khumbu icefall route, ensuring a safe passage for mountaineers.
The Expedition Operators Association of Nepal informed that different agencies have already started dropping loads in the Khumbu region.
