TAPLEJUNG: Climbing activity has recently picked up in the Himalayan region of Taplejung.

In late September, two French nationals successfully completed the first ascent of the 6,808-meter “White Wave Peak.”

According to Tenji Sherpa of Annapurna Foothills Treks and Expedition, the climbers were Benjamin Charles Eli Vedrines and Nicolas Paul Aristide.

Last week, a Chilean citizen successfully climbed Pathibhara Peak, located at the foothills of Kanchenjunga.

Meanwhile, three French climbers have arrived at the base camp of Kumbhakarna (Foktanglung), Nepal’s 15th tallest and the world’s 32nd highest peak, which rises to 7,710 meters, according to assistant tourist officer of the tourism check post at Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Management Council, Tansi Tenzing.

The first successful ascent of Kumbhakarna was made by a French climber in 2019.

In recent years, climbers have increasingly attempted peaks in the region.

Last year in October, four South Korean climbers made the first successful ascent of Sharpu-V Peak, standing at 6,328 meters.

In March of the same year, Sharpu-IV Peak was climbed for the first time by Chilean citizen Hernan Leal, mountaineers Lakpa Chiring Sherpa and Nada Sherpa, along with photographer Purnima Shrestha, reaching 6,433 meters.

According to Tansi Tenzing, 300 foreign tourists have visited the Kanchenjunga area this season, with some resting at the Ghunsa region.
The trekking season will continue from August to November.

The Department of Tourism reports that last season, from March 1 to April 21, 41 climbers (26 men and 15 women) successfully reached the summit of 8,556-meter Kanchenjunga, generating a royalty collection of Rs 19.7 million.