More than a thousand climbers reached the top of Mount Everest this season, Nepal authorities reported on Wednesday (3), meaning this was the busiest season in history on the mountain.
Climbers and local officials said a wide window to reach the top — a period with stable weather conditions that allows for safe ascents — has contributed to the increase in successful climbs.
“More than 1,000 climbers have reached the summit this season, but the final number is yet to be verified,” said Himal Gautam, an official with Nepal’s tourism department.
According to the ‘Himalayan Database’, the highest number of ascents of Everest in a single season had been recorded in 2019, when 877 people declared that they had reached the top.
The total number of successful climbs will be counted after verification of climbs, which requires photos and statements from each climber’s expedition company and guides.
At least five people have died this season: two Indians and three Nepalese mountaineers who were participating in preparations for expeditions on Everest. Another Nepali guide disappeared during the descent and has not yet been found.
The largest mountain in the world stretches across the border between Nepal and China and can be climbed from both sides. The Chinese government, however, this year closed its route that starts in Tibet.
Nepal issued a record number of 494 permits to foreigners this season, prompting the emergence of a tent city at the foot of the mountain for climbers and support staff.
On May 21 alone, 275 climbers reached the summit of Everest, 8,849 meters high, making this day the busiest in history on the south side.
On that date, photos of lines of climbers waiting to reach the top were posted on social media.
In the current season, several records have been broken, including that for the most climbs to the summit by Nepalese guide Kami Rita Sherpa, who celebrated her 32nd climb to the top.
Nepal is home to eight of the ten highest mountains on the planet.
