Kathmandu: Nepal Sunday opened Everest for the autumn season, granting its first climbing permit four months after a deadly earthquake triggered an avalanche at its base camp.
Hundreds of climbers had to abandon attempts when the avalanche struck in April, marking a second summer season with virtually no one reaching the summit of the world's highest mountain.
The deaths of 16 Nepalese guides in an avalanche in 2014 sparked a shutdown that year.
Japanese climber Nobokazu Kuriki will return to the mountain this month in his fifth attempt to reach the summit. The autumn season is considered riskier because of high winds and lower temperatures.
Kuriki, who lost nine of his fingers to frostbite in his 2012 attempt to climb Everest, will be supported by a five-member team but will climb solo from Camp 2 to the summit.
"I feel very happy to give this permit for the autumn season at a time when the earthquake has caused such loss to our tourism industry," said Tourism Minister Kripasur Sherpa.
"This will give a positive message about Nepal internationally and I believe it will encourage other visitors to come," Sherpa added.
Kuriki said he wanted both to climb Everest and help Nepal.
"Everest has seen tragedies in the last two years, and I want to help Nepal revive its tourism," the 33-year-old said, adding that he intends to summit in mid-September.
According to the tourism department, 14 teams have already applied for climbing permits in the autumn season.
Mountaineers say China's decision to halt permits for its side of Everest may divert climbers to the Nepal route.
The devastating earthquake that struck the Himalayan nation on April 25 killed more than 8,800 people. Apart from the Everest avalanche it destroyed the popular Langtang trekking route, raising fears for the immediate future of the important tourism industry.
Nepal called in international experts to examine trekking routes in the Everest and Annapurna region following April's disaster and certified that they were safe for hikers.
Mountaineering is a major revenue-earner for the impoverished country, home to eight of the world's 14 peaks over 8,000 metres.
Hundreds of climbers had to abandon attempts when the avalanche struck in April, marking a second summer season with virtually no one reaching the summit of the world's highest mountain.
The deaths of 16 Nepalese guides in an avalanche in 2014 sparked a shutdown that year.
Kuriki, who lost nine of his fingers to frostbite in his 2012 attempt to climb Everest, will be supported by a five-member team but will climb solo from Camp 2 to the summit.
Advertisement
"This will give a positive message about Nepal internationally and I believe it will encourage other visitors to come," Sherpa added.
Advertisement
"Everest has seen tragedies in the last two years, and I want to help Nepal revive its tourism," the 33-year-old said, adding that he intends to summit in mid-September.
Advertisement
Mountaineers say China's decision to halt permits for its side of Everest may divert climbers to the Nepal route.
Advertisement
Nepal called in international experts to examine trekking routes in the Everest and Annapurna region following April's disaster and certified that they were safe for hikers.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Weight, Speed Of Nepal Plane In July Crash Didn't Match Guidelines, Finds Probe PM Modi Announces Rs 2 Lakh Compensation For Nepal Bus Accident Victims Death Count Rises To 41 In Nepal Road Accident In Big Step Towards One Nation, One Election, Cabinet Clears Plan Explained: How Pagers Turned Bombs And Why Israel Is Being Blamed New XEC Covid Variant Spreads To 27 Countries, Here's What We Know So Far Ukrainian Strike Triggers Earthquake-Sized Blast At Russian Arsenal: Report Not Practical: 15 Opposition Parties Rubbish "One Nation, One Election" Plan Veterinarian Warns Against Owning These 5 Dog Breeds Due To Health Concerns Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.