KATHMANDU, Nov 3: Nepal has collected more than Rs 255.1 million in royalty from mountaineering permits issued for the ongoing autumn climbing season, according to data released by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).
A total of 1,450 climbers from 83 countries have secured permits to climb 59 peaks this season. Of them, 1,105 are men and 345 women, organized into 175 expedition groups.
According to NTB, Ama Dablam (6,814m) recorded the highest number of climbers this season, with 436 individuals receiving climbing permits. The second most sought-after peak was Mt. Manaslu (8,163m), with 374 climbers, followed by Himlung (7,126m) with 186 climbers.
Over Rs 770 million collected in royalty from mountain climbing...
Other popular mountains this season include Baruntse (7,129m) with 47 climbers, Chulu Far East (6,038m) with 43 climbers, Dhaulagiri (8,167m) with 36 climbers, Saribung (6,346m) with 34 climbers, Thapa Peak / Dhampus (6,012m) with 27 climbers, Putha Hiunchuli (7,246m) with 23 climbers and Annapurna IV (7,525m) with 16 climbers.
In terms of country-wise participation, Germany tops the list with 118 climbers, followed by France (117), China (110), the United Kingdom (106), Russia (104) and the United States (102).
Although spring remains the prime season for Everest expeditions, only two teams comprising four climbers obtained permits for Mt Everest this autumn.
