War in Ukraine, Friendship in Mt. Everest

By Min Raj Bhandari, Kathmandu, May 9: A pleasant sight of mutual respect can be observed between the two female climbers from Russia and Ukraine, currently practising the ascent of Mt. Everest at base camp 1 and camp 2, even though both countries are presently at war.

Everest ascent aspirants,  Antrolina and Lana,  from Russia and Ukraine respectively, have reached Camp 2 of Mt. Everest, also known as Sagarmatha in Nepal, wishing for world peace, and are preparing to climb the highest peak of the world together.

Taranath Adhikari, Director General of the Department of Tourism (DOT),  a total of 317 climbers, 73 females and 244 males, and 39 teams have taken permission to climb Mt. Everest this year. Revenue of Rs. 396,851,400 have been collected this year from Mt. Everest alone. The highest number of expedition teams, 43, had taken permission to climb Mt. Everest in the spring session in the year 2021. As many as 412 foreign climbers had reached the summit of the highest mountain in that year. So far, the highest number of climbers that reached the summit of Mt. Everest from both sides was in 2019.

The commercial ascent of Mt. Everest this year started following the rope fixing in the Mt. Everest by a team of 11 Sherpa climbers led by renowned climber Kami Rita. With the successful summit of Mt. Everest by 11 Sherpas including Kami Rita Sherpa, the spring climbing session of this year has begun.

Kami Rita Sherpa broke his own previous record by successfully climbing the highest peak for the 26th time. The team reached the peak of Mt. Everest at 6:55 PM on Saturday. Ropes used in climbing were brought from Britain.