Tag: Mount Everest

Five dead, one missing in Nepal helicopter crash near Mount Everest

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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A private commercial helicopter with six people aboard that went missing near the Mount Everest area in Nepal on Tuesday has crashed in hilly terrain in the country’s eastern region, officials said. Out of the six people, five were Mexican nationals.

The bodies of five people and the wreckage of the chopper have been recovered. One person remains missing.

The Manang Air NA-MV chopper took off from Surke Airport in Solukhumbu district at 10:04 am for Kathmandu and it lost contact at an altitude above 12,000 feet at 10:13 am, said Gyanendra Bhul, Manager at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).

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The helicopter crashed in the Lamjura area of Likhupike Rural Municipality in the remote mountainous Solukhumbu district. Villagers in the area retrieved five bodies, Koshi province’s police said.

“The locals discovered the crashed helicopter at Chihandanda,” rural municipality deputy chair Nwang Lhakpa was quoted as saying by the Kathmandu Post newspaper.

The last location of the chopper was tracked at 10:12 am in the Lamjura Pass area, said Raju Neupane, operation and safety manager of Manang Air.

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A senior airport official said the exact reason behind the crash is not known yet. The rescue operation is underway and the identities of the bodies are yet to be ascertained.

The six people on board the helicopter have been identified as:

1. Captain CB Gurung – the pilot from Nepal

2. Sifuentes G. Ferando – Mexican

3. Gonzalez Abric – Mexican

4. Gonzalez Olacio Luz – Mexican

5. Sifuentes G. Maria Jose – Mexican

6. Rincon Ismael – Mexican

With agency inputs.

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Meet Muthamizh Selvi, first woman from Tamil Nadu to climb Mount Everest

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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In a story of great courage and might, a teacher from Chennai, became the first woman from Tamil Nadu to climb Mount Everest. Muthamizh Selvi, who teaches Japanese in Chennai, set out on the quest to scale the world’s highest peak on April 2. After 56 days of a challenging journey, she reached the summit on May 23 and returned to Kathmandu on May 27.

Tamil Nadu sports minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, who helped her arrange funds for the expedition, congratulated Muthamizh on the rare achievement.

எவரஸ்ட் ஏறுவது அத்தனை எளிதல்ல. தன்னம்பிக்கையுடன் அதற்கான முயற்சியை தொடங்கியிருந்தார் விருதுநகர் மாவட்டத்தைச் சேர்ந்த சகோதரி முத்தமிழ்ச்செல்வி. அவரது பயணத்துக்கு கழக அரசு & தனியார் பங்களிப்புடன் ரூ.25 லட்சம் ஊக்கத்தொகை வழங்கிய நிலையில், தமிழ்நாட்டிலிருந்து முதல் பெண்மணியாக… pic.twitter.com/4ggbsBNa9Y

— Udhay (@Udhaystalin) May 26, 2023

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin also took to Twitter to congratulate her.

#Everest உச்சியைத் தொட்டுத் திரும்பியுள்ள சாதனைப் பெண்மணி திருமிகு. முத்தமிழ்ச்செல்வி அவர்களுக்கு வாழ்த்துகள்! https://t.co/9FLPK5nceY pic.twitter.com/Kyb6ftqtFw

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) May 26, 2023

Selvi faced many challenges and even came across dead bodies on her way to the summit. Even after her sherpa fell ill, Selvi didn’t give up and continued her journey. Despite losing two campmates, Selvi completed the feat in 56 days to become the first Tamil woman to scale Mount Everest.

ALSO READ | International Mount Everest Day: Interesting facts about Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa

“While I was crossing Camp 4, I saw many bodies there. I was afraid, but I didn’t give up as I had to create a record for Tamil Nadu’s history,” Selvi, told PTI.

VIDEO | “While I was crossing Camp 4, I saw many bodies there. I was afraid but I didn’t give up as I had to create a record for Tamil Nadu’s history,” says Muthamizh Selvi, the first woman from Tamil Nadu to scale the Mount Everest. pic.twitter.com/7FYboQHsd5

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 30, 2023

Selvi left Chennai for Delhi on April 2 and set out on the 38-day climb of 7,150 metres peak. She also recorded a video of her experience from Mount Everest.

Who is Muthamizh Selvi?

Muthamizh Selvi hails from Johilpatti near Kariapatti in the Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu. She was interested in mountain climbing since her childhood and was actively engaged in sports and rock climbing. The mother of two daughters has extensively worked to spread awareness of women’s empowerment.

In 2021 she set a new world record by rappelling down blindfolded from a 155-foot mountain in less than a minute. The record was registered in the UNICO Book of World Records.

ALSO READ | Nepal’s Sherpa guide regains title for most climbs of Mount Everest after 27th trip

Story of her expedition

Muthamizh Selvi told the Times of India that she always had a dream to climb Mount Everest and for that she approached Asian Trekking, a private company. She first scaled the Kang Yatse in Ladakh to become eligible for the expedition.

However, as she was short of funds, she approached the TN Government for aid. Tamil Nadu sports department and Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin arranged Rs 25 lakh for her, out of which Rs 10 lakh was from a government fund and Rs 15 lakh was from sponsors.

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International Mount Everest Day: Interesting facts about Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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International Everest Day is marked on May 29 in honour of the remarkable achievement of Edmund Hillary from New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa from Nepal. The two battled ice and storms to reach the pinnacle of the highest mountain on the earth on May 29, 1953 and became the first people to do so.

International Everest Day was established in 2008, the year when Edmund Hillary died. The Nepal government designated May 29 as International Everest Day to highlight the momentous achievement of the climber.

Mount Everest is situated within the Mahalangur Himal sub-range, which is a prominent section of the Himalayas. Mount Everest is also located on the border between Nepal and China allowing mountaineers to climb from either side.

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The celebration of International Everest Day holds great importance in promoting Nepal’s mountain tourism. The participants of this event encompass ministers, climbers, tourism entrepreneurs, and government officials. The day is marked with memorial gatherings, processions, and special festivities held in both Kathmandu and the Everest region.

Edmund Hillary

Edmund Hillary, a beekeeper from New Zealand, partnered with Norgay on a 1951 expedition to Everest. Following his triumphant ascent to the summit, Hillary embarked on numerous thrilling expeditions, venturing to both the north and south poles.

Hillary was made the New Zealand High Commissioner to India in 1984. He wholeheartedly championed conservation efforts and public service until his demise in January 2008 at the age of 88.

Tenzing Norgay Sherpa

Tenzing Norgay grew up in the village of Thame in Nepal. He received the name Tenzing which means fortunate from a high lama. Initially, he worked as a porter on various Everest expeditions during the 1930s and made multiple attempts to reach the summit starting in 1947.

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Finally, at the age of 39, Norgay successfully reached the peak, earning widespread admiration and becoming a revered figure in Nepal and India, where he lived until his demise in 1986. Although he did not make another ascent to the summit, his son, Jamling Tenzing Norgay, followed in his esteemed footsteps and accomplished the feat in 1996.

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Nepal’s Sherpa guide regains title for most climbs of Mount Everest after 27th trip

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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One of the greatest mountain guides regained his title for the most climbs of Mount Everest after scaling the peak for the 27th time on Wednesday, just three days after a fellow Sherpa climber had equalled his previous record.

Kami Rita, 53, reached the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) summit guiding a group of climbers on the world’s highest mountain, and was safe and in good health, said Mingma Sherpa of the Kathmandu-based Seven Summit Treks.

A fellow Nepali Sherpa guide Pasang Dawa scaled the peak on Sunday for the 26th time, equalling Kami Rita’s record last year.

The season’s first wave of climbers reached the summit over the weekend as Sherpa guides fixed ropes and made paths for the hundreds who will attempt to scale the peak over the remaining days of May.

🎉 Congratulations to Kami Rita Sherpa ! 🏔️

This morning at 8:30 am, Kami Rita Sherpa successfully summited Mount Everest for an incredible 27th time as a part of the Seven Summit Treks Everest Expedition 2023.

Kami Rita Sherpa, a native of Thame village in Solukhumbu, Nepal,… pic.twitter.com/LG9g9FVaDb

— Seven Summit Treks 🇳🇵 (@sst8848) May 17, 2023

May is the best month to climb Everest since it has the best weather conditions. There are generally only a couple of windows with good weather on the highest section of the mountain in May that enable climbers to reach the summit.

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After the end of May, the weather on the mountain deteriorates and climbing becomes dangerous.

Climbers generally reach the Everest base camp in April and spend weeks acclimatizing to the high altitude, rough terrain and thin air before they go up the summit.

By the first or second week of May, they are usually making attempts for the summit. This year’s climbing, however, was slightly delayed after three Sherpa climbers fell into a deep crevasse on a treacherous section of the mountain in April. Rescuers have not been able to find them.

A rush for the summit is expected in the next couple of weeks. Nepalese authorities have issued nearly 470 permits for Everest this spring.

Kami Rita first scaled Everest in 1994, and has been making the trip nearly every year since then. He is one of many Sherpa guides whose expertise and skills are vital to the safety and success of foreign climbers who seek to stand on top of the mountain every year.

His father was among the first Sherpa guides. In addition to his Everest climbs, Rita has scaled several other peaks that are among the world’s highest, including K-2, Cho-Oyu, Manaslu and Lhotse.

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Visiting the Enchantress of the Himalayas: Spending two days in Sandakphu, Darjeeling

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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If you’re looking for a truly enchanting destination in India, Sandakphu in Darjeeling is a must-visit. Known as the “Enchantress of the Himalayas,” Sandakphu offers breathtaking views of the world’s tallest peaks, as well as stunning natural beauty and a unique cultural experience.

Getting to Sandakphu

Getting to Sandakphu is not easy, but the journey is definitely worth it. You can reach the destination by trekking, which usually takes around 3-4 days depending on your starting point. Alternatively, you can take a jeep or shared taxi from Darjeeling or Manebhanjan to reach Sandakphu in 5-6 hours.

The Beauty of Sandakphu

Once you arrive in Sandakphu, you’ll be greeted with breathtaking views of the Himalayas. From Sandakphu, you can see four of the five highest peaks in the world – Mount Everest, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu.

Apart from the magnificent views, Sandakphu also offers a variety of trekking trails for adventurers. The Singalila National Park is a must-visit destination for wildlife enthusiasts, as it’s home to several rare and endangered species such as the red panda, Himalayan black bear, and leopard.

Cultural Experience in Sandakphu

Sandakphu is also a great destination for experiencing local culture. The region is home to several ethnic communities, including Sherpas, Gurungs, and Tamangs. You can interact with these communities and learn about their unique cultures and traditions.

The locals are friendly and welcoming, and they’ll be more than happy to share their stories and way of life with you. You can also enjoy local cuisine and stay in traditional homestays for a truly authentic experience.

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Tips for Visiting Sandakphu

Sandakphu is a remote destination, and it’s important to be prepared before you visit. Here are a few tips to help you plan your trip:

• Make sure to carry warm clothing, as the temperature can drop to freezing levels at night.
• Stay hydrated and carry enough water with you.
• Be prepared for the altitude, as Sandakphu is located at an elevation of 11,930 feet.
• Book your accommodation in advance, especially if you’re visiting during the peak season (April-May and September-October).

A visit to Sandakphu is an experience like no other. From the stunning views of the Himalayas to the unique cultural experience, Sandakphu is a destination that should be on every traveller’s list. So, pack your bags and get ready to experience the enchantress of the Himalayas!

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National Mountain Climbing Day: Indians who scaled Mount Everest

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Whenever a task is too challenging, people compare it with climbing Mount Everest. They say “it’s like climbing Everest” and rightly so, because this peak is the Earth’s highest mountain above sea level. Its elevation of 8,848.86 m was most recently established in 2020 by the Chinese and Nepalese authorities.

Located in the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas, this peak was first scaled by Sir Edmund Percival Hillary, a New Zealand-based mountaineer, and Tibetan mountaineer Tenzing Norgay on May 29, 1953. Till then, it was considered to be an impossible task as many mountaineers had died trying to scale the peak. However, several brave Indians, over the course of the last six decades, have achieved this feat.

On the occasion of National Mountain Climbing Day in US, here’s a list of some of those who created a record with their summit

Avtaar Singh Cheema: He was the first Indian and 16th person in the world to climb Mount Everest. Cheema achieved the feat in 1965 after two failed attempts by Indian Army teams. He was Captain in the Parachute regiment at the time when he made the climb. Later, he was promoted to the Colonel rank.

Sonam Gyatso and Sonam Wangyal: They were the first Indian siblings to climb Mount Everest. They achieved the feat just two days after Avtaar Singh Cheema.

Bachendri Pal: In 1984, Pal became the first Indian woman to reach the top of Mount Everest. She was chosen to be part of India’s first mixed-gender trip to Mount Everest.

Santosh Yadav: She became the first woman to climb Mount Everest twice on May 10, 1993.

Tashi and Nungshi Malik: On May 19, 2013, they became the first twins to scale Mount Everest.

Arunima Sinha: On May 21, 2013, Sinha became the world’s first woman amputee to achieve this feat.

Malavath Purna: She became the youngest girl to summit Mount Everest on May 25, 2014. She was 13 years and 11 months old when she reached the summit.

Anshu Jamsenpa: Anshu scaled the world’s highest peak twice in one season between May 16 and 21, 2017.

Ajeet Bajaj and Dia Susanna Bajaj: On May 16, 2018, they became the first father-daughter duo to conquer Everest together.

Vikas Shambhu Prasad Dimri: He was the first full-time banker from India to climb Everest. He achieved the feat on May 18, 2018.

Love Raj Singh Dharmshaktu: He became the first Indian to climb Everest seven times on May 20, 2018.

Sangeeta Sindhi Bahl: At the age of 53, she became the oldest woman to climb Everest in 2018.

Ravindra Kumar: On May 23, 2019, he became the first Indian Administrative Service officer to climb Everest.

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International Everest Day 2022 celebrates the height of human willpower

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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International Everest Day is celebrated every year on May 29 in memory of the first summit of Mount Everest on this day by New Zealand’s Sir Edmund Hillary and Nepal’s Tenzing Norgay Sherpa in 1953. They battled snow storms and extreme weather conditions to reach the summit of the world’s highest mountain.

The day is celebrated across Nepal and New Zealand and marks an important event for tourism in Nepal.

History and significance

The day was first observed in 2008, the year Edmund Hillary died. Since then, Nepal decided to celebrate International Everest Day every year on May 29 to commemorate Edmund Hillary and Tenzin Norgay’s achievement.

The Mount Everest Day celebration is a special event for the promotion of Nepal’s tourism. A series of memorial events and processions take place in Nepal’s capital Kathmandu and the Everest region on this day. Various ministers, climbers, tourism entrepreneurs and government officials attend these events.

This year, the International Everest Day will be celebrated in grand style around Nepal and New Zealand as well. Everest Day 2022 events will be held from May 28-31 at six different venues around New Zealand.

The historic climb

New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay were a part of a British expedition that set out to reach the summit of Mount Everest, which stands at 29,035 feet above the sea level. However, before the final climb, most of the members were forced to return to base camp and the pre-selected team of Norgay and Hillary was sent to attempt the final climb.

They approached the south summit on May 28 and set up camp at 27,900 feet during the night. They resumed their trek in the morning at 6.30 am and began the final trek. T

hey braved snow storms, rocks, ice and extreme weather and lastly, they had to climb up a 40-foot ice face, which is now known as Hillary Step (one of the most formidable obstacles on the ridge). The duo reached the peak at around 11.30 am on May 29, 1953, and became the first humans to scale the height of Mount Everest.

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China to set up ‘line of separation’ at Mt Everest summit to prevent COVID-19 transmission from Nepal: Report

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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China is planning to establish a ‘line of separation’ at the Mount Everest peak to prevent climbers from coming in contact with those climbing from the Nepal side as a move to contain the spread of COVID-19 infections, according to the Chinese state media.

The China-Nepal border runs across the summit, with the North Slope belonging to China and the South Slope to Nepal. The Mount Everest peak, standing tall at 8,848 metres, is a mound of snow that can barely accommodate a few climbers.

Nepal has seen a huge rise in COVID -19 cases in the past few days, with 9,127 new cases being reported on May 10, taking the total tally to over four lakhs.

To safeguard its citizens, China will deploy a team of Tibetan climbers to set up the line of separation and stop any interaction with climbers from the Nepal side.

Nepal will have to quickly rethink its tourism policy in the wake of China’s ‘zero contact’ strategy. The cash-strapped Himalayan nation has been reeling under pandemic-related tourism woes since April and will have to find a way out of this crisis. The recent development of current Prime Minister Oli losing a vote of confidence amidst the raging pandemic has made life even tougher for Nepal.

A group of 21 Chinese nationals is currently en route to the peak after being quarantined for nearly a month in the Tibetan base. There is no clarity on whether the Tibetan climbers will maintain the Line of Separation and stop anyone from breaching it.

With cases on the rise in Mainland China, the government is keen to go all out on safety measures. China has not allowed foreign climbers to ascend Mount Everest or Mount Qomolangma, as it is known in the Tibetan region of China, since the outbreak.

Meanwhile, as news of the line of separation hit the headlines, some climbers in Nepal were evacuated to be treated for the virus in Kathmandu. According to unofficial reports 30 members have been infected. However, official figures kept the tally at 17.

It may be recalled that Nepal is heavily dependent on tourism, besides yearly grants and subsidies from India and China. With COVID-19 hammering the tourism sector, Nepal issued a record number of permits to climb Everest this year. Each permit from the Nepal side costs $11,000, with other costs adding up to nearly $40,000 for every climber. It remains to be seen how the government, already in crisis mode, will tackle this newest challenge.

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Nepal issues record number of permits for expeditions to Everest despite COVID-19

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Nepal has issued a record 394 permits so far this year for expeditions to Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, despite the surging coronavirus pandemic. ”We have issued permission to those expedition teams, which applied for the same with due procedures,” Meera Acharya, director at the Department of Tourism, said.

The Ministry of Tourism and civil aviation issued a record 394 permits for the expeditions to Everest till Friday, breaking the earlier record of 381 permits issued in 2019, she said. The Nepali government’s move has come amid intense scrutiny over a reported traffic jam on Mt. Everest, whose revised height is 8848.86 meters.

Nepal relies heavily on income generated from Everest expeditions. ”I have no information about the traffic jam on the Everest,” Acharya said in response to a question. A foreign climber needs to pay USD 11,000 per person for getting permission to climb Mount Everest. ”The enthusiasm shown by the international climbers to Mt. Everest shows, their growing passion and love for Everest,” says Mingma Sherpa, chairman of Seven Summit Treks of Kathmandu. This will certainly help in boosting Nepal’s tourism despite the pandemic, he added.

The first cases of COVID-19 have been identified at Everest base camp this week. Nepal insists that visiting climbers quarantine before proceeding to Everest base camp. Nepal has reported 297,087 COVID-19 cases so far with 3,136 deaths.

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