Winter peak permissions for 27 foreign climbers

Everest base camp

Kathmandu: At least 27 foreign climbers have sought permission to climb mountains in Nepal this winter season according to Tourism Department Director Mira Acharya.

Spanish climbers as many as 23 have sought permission from the tourism department to climb three mountains- Nuptse, Ama Dablam above 6000meters and Mt. Everest besides two Germans –Hug Daniel and Jost Kobusch-who took permission to climb Mt. Everest earlier.

The climbers have already headed towards their respective base camps after taking permission. Five climbers representing two expedition teams have also taken permission to climb Mt. Everest this winter season.

The climbers seeking permission to climb peaks in winter last year was almost negligible as compared to the permission given to one expedition team in 2018. Nepal government has been levying mountaineering fees according to four seasons of the English calendar.

In the spring season, the fees for climbing Mt. Everest is 11000 dollar per person. During the autumn season, this fee is reduced to 5000 dollars per person and during summer it is reduced to 750 dollars per person.

Since the tourism department has reduced the climbing fees drastically, the number of climbers is increasing even in the offseason too.

Nepal has so far opened a total of 414 peaks for the climbers and if the climbers seek to climb these peaks in any season the government is ready to open permits for these peaks for 365 days said, Acharya.

In the previous years, the peak permission was sought only in spring and summer. But this time the permission is being sought after in all four seasons, added Acharya.