Kathmandu, September 4
Nepal has started issuing permits for the autumn mountaineering season, with hundreds of climbers already showing interest despite the devastation caused by monsoon floods across the country.
According to the Department of Tourism, 367 climbers from 32 teams had obtained permits to climb mountains in the upcoming season as of Thursday. Of them, 87 are women.
Manaslu has attracted the highest number of climbers so far, with 348 climbers from 29 teams receiving permits.
Three climbers from one team have obtained permits to climb Makalu, while 16 climbers from two teams have received permits for Danga Himal, which stands at 6,220 metres.
Chinese nationals account for the largest number of climbers who have obtained permits so far. The department said 55 Chinese, 39 Russian and 32 American climbers had received permits by Thursday.
Similarly, 27 climbers from France and 24 from the United Kingdom have obtained permits. Fifteen Nepali climbers have also received permits, while Poland, Canada and Germany have 14 climbers each.
The figures indicate that interest in Himalayan expeditions remains strong at the beginning of the autumn season, even as Nepal continues to deal with the aftermath of the monsoon floods.
