Nepal’s Autumn Climbing Season Draws 788 Foreign Mountaineers to 31 Peaks

Nepal’s mountains have continued to attract strong international interest during the autumn climbing season, with 788 climbers from 70 countries receiving permits to scale 31 peaks, according to the Department of Tourism. The climbers are affiliated with 91 expedition teams, including 582 men and 206 women. The department has collected US$1.63 million, equivalent to Rs 24.72 crore, in climbing royalties during the season. Mount Manaslu has emerged as the most popular destination, with 500 climbers from 43 teams obtaining permits to climb the 8,163-meter peak. Manaslu alone has generated around Rs 22.59 crore in royalty, accounting for the majority of the total revenue collected this season. Other popular peaks include Dhaulagiri I, where 36 climbers from five teams have received permits, and Himlung Himal, with 34 climbers from three teams. Permits have also been issued for mountains including Ama Dablam, Putha Hiunchuli, Danga Hiunchuli, Baruntse, Makalu, Gangapurna West, Thorong Peak, Norbu Khang, Annapurna IV, Chamlung, Lamjung Himal, Pumori, Saribung, Thapa Peak, Pokhar Khang, Ardang and Pary, among others. By nationality, Chinese climbers lead participation with 118 permit holders, followed by Russia with 65, France with 60, the United States with 52 and the United Kingdom with 45. Poland and Japan have 25 climbers each, while Italy and Nepal have 23 each, followed by India with 18. The participation of climbers from a wide range of countries highlights the continued international appeal of Nepal’s mountain tourism.