Mingma G’s company Imagine Nepal has obtained the first Everest permit of the current season, and it is a prestigious task. They will fix the ropes from Camp 2 to the summit for the first time. The job has traditionally gone to Seven Summit Treks, under the leadership of Kami Rita Sherpa.
The name listed as expedition leader is Liu Mihe of China, in fact, one of the 15 international members of the team, coming from the U.S., China, South Africa, Singapore, and Thailand.
As we explained in previous stories, Nepal’s Expedition Operators Association (EOA) assigns the tasks of fixing ropes on Everest, Manaslu, and Ama Dablam to the lowest bidder among interested local outfitters. Then the association collects fees for the use of the ropes from other participating expeditions.
Dawa Gyalje will lead the rope-fixing team on Everest this year. Photo: The Himalayan Times
High-altitude waste management
IFMGA guide Dawa Gyalje Sherpa will head the rope-fixing team to the summits of Everest and Lhotse. In addition to fixing new ropes, Dawa Gyalje says he will bring down the old ones.
“This was never done before, so the rocky section on Everest is getting covered with old ropes,” he told The Himalayan Times.
Below Camp 2, including through the hazardous Khumbu Icefall, the Icefall Doctors working for the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee fix the ropes. They are already nearly done and are approaching Camp 1 on the Western Cwm.
The SPCC has also published this year’s fees to use the route, which requires constant maintenance on the ever-moving glacier. Outfitters with international climbers on Everest, Lhotse, or Nuptse will have to pay $600 per person.
The expedition also must submit a complete list of their food and equipment and must bring back at least eight kilos of garbage per climber from above Base Camp.
Three Icefall Doctors carry ladders to fix the route to Camp 1. Pumori in the background.
Kami Rita on Everest again
Although he is not heading the fixing team this time, Kami Rita Sherpa — who climbed Everest for a record 26th time last year — will be there again, supporting clients and bagging his 27th Everest summit in the process.
Kami Rita Sherpa is running out of space for all his Everest-related Guinness certificates.
