KATHMANDU, JUNE 28
The rope-fixing climbers responsible for opening and fixing the climbing route from the Base Camp to the summit point of Mt Everest this year have been honored amidst a function in Kathmandu this afternoon.
Expedition Operators Association Nepal organized an event where Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Hit Bahadur Tamang felicitated Sherpa climbers for timely opening a summit route on Mt Everest and Mt Lhotse in the spring season.
The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) was tasked with overseeing the icefall doctors who fixed the route up to Camp II while Seven Summit Treks had been assigned by EOAN to fix the route from Camp II to the summit point. The team of rope-fixing members from SST includes Tenjing Gyalje Sherpa, Namgel Dorjee Tamang, Pemba Tashi Sherpa, Gelje Sherpa, Dawa Sherpa, Phurba Chhotar Sherpa, Suku Bahadur Tamang, Lakpa Rinjin Sherpa, Tashi Sherpa, and Pam Dorjee Sherpa. Likewise, the team of icefall doctors includes Ang Sarki Sherpa, Dawa Nuru Sherpa, Pemba Tshering Sherpa, Ngima Tenzi Sherpa, Nawang Chhimi Sherpa, Dawa Chhiri Sherpa, Dawa Zangbu Sherpa, and Mingma Gyalzen Sherpa.
The SST climbers opened the summit route on Mt Everest from Nepal side on May 10 while the icefall doctors from SPCC opened a climbing route from the Base Camp to Camp II by placing ropes and ladders on the treacherous section of the Khumbu icefall on April 17.
Minister Tamang felicitated rope-fixing climbers, lauding their role in making mountain climbing possible for the world climbers in every season. Tamang also felicitated record-holding climbers as well as Nepali Sherpas who made a successful ascent of Mt Cho Oyu from Nepal side on June 7. "The government is committed to working with the EOAN and other stakeholders to promote mountaineering tourism in the international market," Minister Tamang said.
Minister Tamang also felicitated legendary climbers including Kami Rita Sherpa, fastest woman climber Phunjo Jhangmu Lama, Purnima Shrestha, and Dawa Phinjok Sherpa among others. Minister Tamang also thanked EOAN for smoothly executing its task on Everest and Lhotse this season. Minister Tamang also expressed serious concern over the rapid degradation of the mountain environment due to the climate crisis. Minister Tamang also warned stakeholders concerned not to misuse social media to tarnish Nepal's image while circulating misleading content about mountains. Tamang was indirectly referring to a video content posted by Nirmal 'Nims' Purja on rope slicing on Mt Everest this season. "The government will leave no stone unturned to take action against those involved in circulating disinformation about mountains," Tamang noted.
Addressing the event, EOAN President Damber Parajuli said that there was a need to introduce a working procedure for fixing ropes in different mountains. "EOAN would like to thank all its members for timely fixing ropes on Mt Everest and Lhotse in the spring season," he said. Parajuli also asked the government to set up a garbage management fund to streamline garbage collection activities in the mountains.
EOAN General Secretary Rishi Ram Bhandari, who is also the board director at Nepal Tourism Board, asked the government to give priority to Nepal's mountaineering sector by addressing the concerns of the stakeholders. "Govt must encourage and protect the mountaineering business," he said.
Dignitaries including NTB's board vice chairman Ram Prasad Sapkota 'Kamal' were present on the occasion.
