Everest records season's first summit as route opens from Nepal side
The fixing of rope signifies the beginning of the summit push for 414 climbers and Sherpa guides who have completed their acclimatization and are now poised for the final ascent.
Mount Everest saw its first ascent from the southern side in the 2024 spring season on Friday, as a group of Nepali climbers successfully laid ropes to the summit.
A ten-member team led by Dendi Sherpa, alias Mingmar Dhondup, of Seven Summit Treks, reached the summit at 8.15 pm Friday, according to Rakesh Gurung, spokesperson for Nepal's Department of Tourism.
The other member of the team included Tenjing Gyaljen Sherpa, Pemba Tashi Sherpa, Lakpa Sherpa, Dawa Rinjee Sherpa, Dawa Sherpa, Pam Dorji Sherpa, Suk Bahadur Tamang, Namgyal Dorjee Tamang and Lakpa Rinjee Sherpa.
The fixing of rope signifies the beginning of the summit push for 414 climbers and Sherpa guides who have completed their acclimatization and are now poised for the final ascent.
The opening of the route in Nepali side follows shortly after fixed ropes were laid to the summit of the peak from the northern side in Tibet, where around 100 climbers are climbing.
Mount Everest is situated on the border between Nepal and China, providing climbers with access to its summit from both sides.
Before the start of each climbing season, commercial expeditions undertake the crucial task of setting up fixed ropes, which serve as essential guides for all commercial climbers. The initial route from the base camp to Camp II is opened by skilled icefall doctors, employed by the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee. Following this, the Expedition Operators Association Nepal takes charge of opening the route from Base Camp II to the summit. For the 2024 spring expedition, the expedition operators have delegated this responsibility to Seven Summit Treks.
According to the Department of Tourism, a total of 414 climbers have obtained permits to climb Mount Everest for the ongoing spring season. These climbers are part of 41 teams, comprising 339 male and 75 female climbers.
Meanwhile, the base camp has transformed into a large village, accommodating nearly 2500 climbers and Sherpa assistants. The base camp also serves as the starting point for Lhotse (8516m), the fourth highest peak in the world, and Nuptse (7855m), for which 130 and 34 climbers have obtained climbing permits, respectively.
