Everest climbing season begins

Eight Nepalese climbers reached the summit of Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain, on Friday (9), kicking off a season in which hundreds of climbers from around the world will attempt to reach the "roof" of the Earth.

Every year, the first ascent of the Himalayan peak is reserved for a group of climbers belonging to one of the companies that organize the expeditions, responsible for equipping the routes with ropes and equipment.

“The route is open. The team reached the summit tonight,” team leader Pemba Sherpa of 8K Expeditions told AFP.

Nepal has issued 456 climbing permits for this spring season (April to June).

“The news was received with great enthusiasm,” climber Purnima Shrestha told AFP from Everest base camp.

“The route was opened a little earlier than planned. We hope this will allow for better scheduling (of attempts) and ease traffic a little,” he continued.

Most climbers who set out for the slopes of Everest are accompanied by Nepalese guides, which increases the number of climbers appearing on the main route to the summit to almost 900 in just a few weeks.

Among them, Nepalese Kami Rita Sherpa hopes to reach the summit for the 31st time this season.

Last year, more than 800 climbers completed the ascent, 74 of them from the Tibetan side, a growing number that has drawn criticism from purists for overcrowding and the commercialization of climbing.

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