KATHMANDU: Nepal is witnessing a surge in foreign interest in mountain climbing this spring, with more than 1,000 climbers from 79 countries receiving permits to scale Himalayan peaks, including Mount Everest.

According to the Department of Tourism, 1,072 climbers — including 811 men and 261 women — have obtained climbing permits so far this season.

Of them, 464 climbers from 55 countries have secured permits for Everest alone. Chinese climbers top the list with 139 permits, followed by the United States with 132.

The government has collected over Rs 1.17 billion in climbing royalties this season, including more than Rs 1 billion from Everest permits alone.

Major expedition operators, including Seven Summit Treks, are leading Everest expeditions this year. Seven Summit Treks alone is guiding 85 climbers to the summit.

The Nepal Mountaineering Association said foreign interest in Nepal’s mountains has increased significantly since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Nepal is home to eight of the world’s 14 peaks above 8,000 meters. Route fixing on Everest is ongoing. Officials said ropes have been fixed up to Camp III, while bad weather has delayed work toward the summit.

Medical teams have also been deployed at Everest Base Camp and Pheriche to assist climbers and trekkers.

Everest was first climbed on May 29, 1953, by Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa of Nepal, a date now celebrated annually as Everest Day.