1,074 get mountain climbing permit for autumn season

Kathmandu, Oct 25  One thousand seventy four mountaineers belonging to 143 expedition groups from 59 countries have got permission to climb mountains during the autumn season this year, said the Department of Tourism. The figure may increase as climbing season lasts first week of November, it added. Last year 1,398 climbers of 173 expedition teams from 63 countries took permission to scale mountains. Of them, 264 of 27 groups have got permission to climb Manaslu mountain and 261 belonging to 23 teams will scale Ama Dablam mountain, according to the Department. So far, over Rs 61 million has been collected as revenue from the mountaineers, it said. Ten climbers of two groups, who embarked on the expedition to climb Mount Everest after getting permission for this season, failed to make it due to various reasons, said a Department employee. They are said to be returning. Autumn season usually has heavy snowfall on the trail to the peak of Mount Everest, affecting climbing.