Snowfall provides relief amidst rockfall injuries on Mount Everest
Mount Everest, which experienced below-average snowfall this year, has been receiving more snowfall since Tuesday, bringing relief to climbers and Sherpas who were getting injured from rockfall during acclimatization and while setting up camps and routes.
Mild snowfall since Tuesday has brought relief to climbers on Mount Everest (8848.86m), the world’s highest peak, as the lack of snow was causing rocks to fall, creating problems for those transporting supplies and acclimating.
The Everest region has experienced mild snowfall over the past few days, with increased intensity since Tuesday. The snowfall comes at a time when at least half a dozen climbers, primarily Sherpas setting up camps and fixed climbing routes, have suffered minor injuries due to constant rockfalls in areas above Camp III, according to officials at the Department of Tourism and Sherpa at the base camp.
The overall weather at the world's highest point is also improving after jet streams destroyed several tents in Camp I and Camp II a week ago. There are hopes of an early summit by the rope-fixing team by mid-May, as the Tibetan side has already prepared a fixed climbing route. The rope-fixing team is responsible for setting up fixed ropes for climbing to the summit.
Meanwhile, the base camp has transformed into a large village with nearly 2500 climbers and Sherpa assistants. A total of 412 climbers have obtained permits to climb Mount Everest for the ongoing spring season, according to the Department of Tourism.
There are 41 teams comprising 339 male and 75 female climbers. 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.
