The lead Sherpa team has finished fixing ropes to the summit of 6,812m Ama Dablam.
Pasdawa Sherpa, Pasang Tenjing Sherpa, Arjun Karki Dholi, and Datuk Bhote, working for 8K Expeditions, reached the top of the beautiful and popular peak on the afternoon of April 2. Although the mountain is busiest from October to early December, it also sees action in spring. It is the only peak less than 8,000m in Nepal where local operators do not informally agree on the rope-fixing work. Instead, the task is officially assigned by the Expedition Operators Association of Nepal (EOA).
This year, the EOA assigned Ama Dablam, as well as Everest and Lhotse, to 8K Expeditions.
Everest permits
Waldemar Nickevicz of Brazil holds a group Everest permit. Photo: 8K Expeditions
In the meantime, many teams are already on their way to Everest Base Camp, which is already fully set up for their arrival. Nepal’s Department of Tourism has not updated its list of climbing permits since March 21, but some international expedition leaders have already posted their stamped permits on social media.
In group permits for 8,000m peaks, the designed expedition leader is always a foreigner, such as Waldemar Niklevicz of Brazil — leader of one of 8K Expedition groups — Ben Jones of the U.S. with Alpine Ascents, or Jigar Kishorkumar Asnani of India with Satori Adventures.
