Kathmandu: Nepal has allowed more than 300 mountaineers to climb Mount Everest after they had to abandon their expeditions last year when 16 Sherpa mountain guides were killed in an avalanche on the world's highest mountain.
The government will extend last year's permits without charging new fees, said the head of Nepal's Tourism Department, Tulasi Gautam. The extended permits can be used at any time through 2019, according to officials.
The government had last year assured to extend the permit after the avalanche hit the Everest base camp. The climbers can join any group, or they can opt to pay extra to attempt the summit individually as the fees for group climbing and solo climbing are different, the official said.
The three-month climbing season for the 8,848-metre high Everest begins in March till late May, when weather conditions are considered most suitable for scaling Himalayan peaks.
Nepal also decided recently to station doctors on Everest, improve weather forecasting, security and rescue efforts, and has cut climbing fees to USD 11,000 per climber from USD 25,000, besides changing the traditional route taken by climbers to ascend the peak.
Last year, a sudden fall of ice struck a group of Sherpa guides near base camp, killing 16 Sherpas in the worst single disaster on Everest.
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