Solukhumbu, April 28: A few days ago, renowned mountaineer Kami Reeta Sherpa posted a video on social media from the Everest Base Camp, referring to it as a “mountain home.” The video showed colorful, neatly arranged tents, giving the base camp the appearance of a beautiful global village. Climbers from all around the world have gathered at the base camp for the Everest expedition, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere.
“Everest Base Camp feels like a small world, with people gathered from across the globe,” said mountaineer Lakpa Sherpa, who is currently at the base camp. “It looks like a lively village.” Kami Reeta, who has already climbed Everest 30 times, is back at the mountain to break his own record with a 31st ascent. The base camp is adorned with colorful tents and shelters, looking like a bride on her wedding day.
Located at an altitude of 5,364 meters above sea level, the base camp now boasts facilities such as laundry services, cafés, and bars. Over 500 tents have been set up, and more than 1,300 people including climbers, guides, cooks, and kitchen helpers are currently at the base camp. According to Lakpa Sherpa, managing director of 8K Expeditions, the colorful decorations set up by various companies for food and lodging arrangements have made the camp even more lively.
Mingma Sherpa, Chairman of Seven Summit Treks Pvt. Ltd., noted that the large influx of climbers has created a unique atmosphere in the Everest region. “The crowd of climbers from various countries aiming to summit Everest has captured the world’s attention,” he said.
In recent days, social media has been flooded with stunning photos of Everest and its surrounding peaks gleaming like silver, as well as picturesque scenes from the base camp, drawing global attention. This visibility has helped promote Nepal’s adventure tourism in the international market.
From Lukla to Everest Base Camp, a long line of climbers, trekkers, and support staff can be seen. Shiva Bahadur Sapkota, General Secretary of the Everest Summiteers Association, said that the gathering of climbers from different countries has made the base camp environment more vibrant. “The influx of climbers during the spring season helps promote Nepal’s adventure tourism,” he said.
The rope-fixing responsibility up to the summit of Everest has been assigned to 8K Expeditions. According to managing director Lakpa Sherpa, about 90% of the climbers have already reached Everest Base Camp.
Route open up to Camp III
This season, the route from Everest Base Camp to Camp III has already been opened. Skilled Sherpa teams are swiftly fixing ropes beyond Camp III, taking advantage of favorable weather conditions. The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) had previously completed the route up to Camp II. With the route now open up to Camp III, the Department of Tourism estimates that ropes will be fixed up to the summit within the next week to 10 days, after which summiting attempts will begin. Climbers who have obtained permits have been practicing in the Everest region for nearly a month.
Climbers continue to arrive in Nepal for expeditions to Everest and other peaks. Most have already secured climbing permits, while some are still in the process. The spring season is considered the best time for Everest expeditions. The Department of Tourism has also set up a contact office at the base camp to manage the expeditions.
Over 400 Climbers to Summit Everest
According to the Department of Tourism, as of Sunday, 402 climbers from 53 countries have received permits to climb Everest. Director Liladhar Awasthi stated that 41 climbing groups have been granted permits, including 74 women climbers. In the same season last year, 414 climbers (75 women and 339 men) from 41 groups had obtained permits. This year, climbing royalties have brought in approximately 684 million rupees, and the amount is expected to rise as more climbers arrive.
To ensure a safe, well-managed, and regulated climbing season, the Department of Tourism has established a field office at the Everest Base Camp. In the 72-year history of Everest expeditions, fierce competition, record-setting, and high-profile attempts have become commonplace. Despite the risks and sensitivities involved, climbers continue to risk their lives to reach the summit.
This season, Tashi Gyalzen Sherpa from Solukhumbu aims to set a new record by summiting Everest four times within 20 days. So far, over 8,000 domestic and international climbers have stood atop the world’s highest peak, and new records continue to be set. #everest #nepal
