The figure could go up this year given the encouraging participation of climbers in the expedition, said Durga Datta Dhakal, director and Spokesperson for the Department.

He said those who had set about scaling Mt Everest (Sagarmatha) had reached camp third. They would reach atop the highest peak after two weeks if weather allows them, he said, adding that other groups of mountaineers had also left to scale other mountains including Annapurna, Manaslu and Makalu.

Earlier in 2073 B.S. during spring season (the expedition began from May 11, 2016), more than 400 mountaineers including Nepalis and foreigners reached atop the highest peak, said the Department. The number was divided into 34 different groups. RSS