Mount Everest has recorded more than 350 ascents in just one week amid a streak of good weather in the world’s tallest peak, officials said.
At least 135 clients and 215 climbing guides have successfully made it to the top of Everest since a team led by Kami Rita Sherpa laid ropes to the summit of the world’s tallest on May 7, according to liaison officer Khimlal Gautam who is in Everest Base Camp.
“These are preliminary figures based on data provided by expedition organizers. We will have to wait a few days for the final data as some agencies have not yet provided us the data,” Gautam told Everest Chronicle from the base camp, adding, “Thanks to a long weather window, we expect to receive reports of more ascents in the next few days.”
Gautam, who is also member secretary of Mountaineering Monitoring and Facilitation Committee, said that good weather has given everyone an opportunity to reach the summit without creating traffic jams.
Portuguese climber Padro Queiros, 41, reached the summit of Everest on the morning of May 9 – two days after Sherpas fixed the rope to the summit. It was the season’s first ascent. It was followed by a 14 member National Geographic team that also installed a weather station at Bishop’s rock, just 30 meter below the summit.
At least 140 people reached the summit of the world’s highest peak on May 12, the highest number of climbers on a single day of the season.
Among the ascents was a 39 member team of Seven Summit Treks–16 clients and 23 climbing guides– who reached the summit of Everest on the same day.
Lucy Westlake, 18, has become the youngest American female climber to summit Everest. Antonina Samoilova, 33, was the lone Ukrainian climber to climb Everest. She climbed the peak with a message of peace as her country is under Russian invasion.
Like in previous seasons, Everest also saw some ground breaking records. Climbing guide Kami Rita Sherpa broke his own world record for the highest number of summit with 26th ascent of the peak, while Lhakpa Sherpa also outdid her own record with her 10th Everest ascent, the highest by a woman climber.
Ronald Quintero became the first Honduran to summit Everest. He achieved the feat on the morning of May 12.
Vanessa Estol from Uruguay and Alfa Karina Arrué from Salvador became the first female climbers from their respective countries to summit the peak.
The Full Circle Everest, an all black team from USA, also made it to the summit on May 12. Seven climbers of the team stood atop the peak. There had only been 10 black climbers to make it to the top in the past 70 years of Everest expedition.
Everest Clean Up Campaign team of Nepal Army also summited Everest on May 12. Captain Ganesh Karki and Corporal Devi Prasad Neupane were guided by IFMGA Guide Abiral Rai and Mountain Guides Tshering Jangbu Sherpa on their successful summit.
“Weather is good this spring, which is why almost all summit pushes have been successful. There are no reports of unfortunate incidents since the summit push started,” said Gautam.
Everest has so far recorded two deaths this season. Nima Tenji Sherpa of Solukhumbu died in Khumbu icefall while shuttling loads between Camp I to Camp 2.
Dipak Mahat, a climbing guide from Gulmi district who had fallen ill at camp II on May 12 and was later evacuated to Kathmandu for treatment died of high altitude sickness while undergoing treatment.
A total of 317 climbers have obtained climbing permits for Everest in the spring season, according to the Department of Tourism.
