SOLUKHUMBU: The 2026 spring climbing season officially commenced Wednesday (today) as a 14-member rope-fixing team reached the summit of Mount Everest, successfully opening the route for hundreds of waiting mountaineers.

The team reaching Mount Everest from the southern face includes Mingma Dorchi Sherpa, Mingma Tenzi Sherpa, Pam Dorjee Sherpa, Pasang Tenzing Sherpa, Lopsang Bhote, and Chhomba Tenzi Sherpa. Similarly, Mingma Norbu Sherpa, Pasang Tashi Sherpa, Pharnenji Sherpa, Guru Bhote, Pasang Norbu Sherpa, Tendi Sherpa, and Pasang Nima Ngima Sherpa are in the climbing team.

A statement issued by the Department of Tourism says, “On Wednesday, at 10:25 AM, the task of fixing ropes to the summit of the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, was completed, successfully opening the route.” Khim Lal Gautam, coordinator of the temporary field office under the Department of Tourism, states that despite geographical complexities, weather adversities, and managerial risks, the group successfully climbed from the Mount Everest Base Camp to the summit.

With this, the route for this year’s Mount Everest climbing has opened. This year, 492 climbers from 55 countries have received permission to climb the world’s highest peak. Among them are 105 women and 387 men. In the history of Mount Everest climbing, which began after Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa successfully reached the summit in 1953, the highest number of climbers received climbing permits this year. This year, 50 teams are preparing for the ascent. In exchange, the government has received royalties amounting to Rs 1.08 billion. This time, the highest number of Chinese climbers have taken climbing permits. Among those receiving permission are 109 Chinese climbers, including 23 women and 83 men.

Photo courtesy: Chhang Dawa Sherpa

76 climbers from the United States are climbing Mount Everest, including nine women and 67 men. From India, 61 climbers, including 26 women and 35 men, are preparing to climb Mount Everest. This year’s ascent had become uncertain due to difficulties in constructing the path at the Khumbu Icefall. The Khumbu Icefall, located at 5,400 meters, falls between the Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse mountains. Following the successful first ascent of the year despite the risks, the department has expressed gratitude to the Icefall Doctors and guides involved in constructing and opening the climbing route from the base camp to the summit.

Lives lost during the ascent

This year, five individuals who went to climb or assist in climbing the mountains during the spring season have died. Among the deceased are three guides and two climbers. According to the Department of Tourism, the mountain guides who passed away are Lakpa Dendi Sherpa, Bijaya Ghimire, and Phura Geljen Sherpa from Solukhumbu. Lakpa died near the base camp, Ghimire at the Khumbu Icefall, and Phura Geljen at Camp Three. Similarly, David Raubiken from the Czech Republic and Johannes Sally from the United States, who were in the process of climbing Mount Makalu, have passed away. They died when an avalanche fell.