648 mountaineers from 69 countries obtain permits for autumn season: Tourism department

KATHMANDU: A total of 648 mountaineers from 69 countries have been granted permits to climb peaks in Nepal during the upcoming autumn season, the Department of Tourism said.

The permits cover 20 peaks and were issued to 71 groups, comprising 485 men and 163 women, the Department’s Information Officer, Suraj Ghimire, said.

Climbers include 118 from China, 57 from Russia, 41 from the United States, 38 from the United Kingdom, 51 from France, 34 from Germany, 21 from Japan, 20 from Nepal, 19 from Poland, 18 from India, 17 from Australia, 16 from Canada, 15 from Spain, 13 from Switzerland, 16 from the Czech Republic, seven from Argentina, seven from Belgium and five from Bulgaria, among others.

The Department collected $1,571,659 (equivalent to NPR 238,964,298) in royalties from the issued permits.

Mount Manaslu (8,163 metres) attracted the largest number of climbers, with 500 mountaineers across 43 teams obtaining permits for that peak alone. Permits were also issued to 34 climbers across four teams for Dhaulagiri I, 20 climbers across two teams for Putha Hiunchuli, 16 climbers across two teams for Danga Hiunchuli, and 10 climbers in one team for Baruntse Himal.

Other peaks for which permits were granted include Makalu, Gangapurna West (Langchenel), Thorong Peak, Norbu Khang, Annapurna IV, Chamlang, Lamjung Himal, Pumori, Saribung, Thapa Peak (Dhampus), Pokhar Khang, Ardang and Peri.

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