KANCHENJUNGA: An international mountaineering team successfully summited the world’s third-highest mountain, Kanchenjunga (8,586 meters), on yesterday after overcoming severe weather conditions and multiple delays caused by high winds.

According to Seven Summit Treks, the expedition achieved the summit following several challenging attempts during what organizers described as a particularly difficult climbing season on Kanchenjunga.

The climbers who reached the summit included Stijn Joseph Johannes Thoolen of the Netherlands, Charles Page of Canada, Valeriy Babanov of Russia, Yuan Qui of China, and Fabian Geiger of Switzerland.

The Nepali Sherpa climbers who joined the successful ascent were Pasang Sherpa, Chhewang Sherpa, Dawa Nurbu Sherpa, Mingmar Tendi Sherpa, Pemba Tasi Sherpa, and Pasang Sherpa (Sojo).

Earlier in the expedition, the SST route-fixing team reached an altitude of 8,200 meters on May 18 but was forced to retreat because of extreme winds. The route to the summit was successfully fixed on May 20, paving the way for the summit push.

The same day, veteran climbers Piotr and Gian attempted a bold ascent without supplemental oxygen or Sherpa support. After waiting for favorable weather conditions, the full team ultimately completed the summit successfully on May 23.

Expedition organizers stated that all climbers and Sherpa guides have safely returned to Base Camp following the ascent. The climb has been described as a significant achievement on one of the world’s most technically demanding 8,000-meter peaks.