SATV, Kathmandu, April. 8 - With the onset of the spring season, climbing expeditions on Dhaulagiri and Annapurna have begun and the presence of both foreign and Nepali climbers has started to increase. 

So far this season, a total of 44 climbers have obtained permits to scale the over-8,000-metre peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. Those with permits have begun heading towards the base camps in preparation for their ascents.

The 8,167-metre Dhaulagiri lies in Mudi of Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality–4 in Myagdi district, while the 8,091-metre Annapurna I is located in Narchyang of Annapurna Rural Municipality–4.

According to the Department of Tourism (DoT), royalties amounting to Rs 7.56 million have been collected from Dhaulagiri expeditions and Rs 12.04 from Annapurna. As per the DoT's latest data, 27 climbers, including eight women across four groups, have received permits to climb Annapurna.

Similarly, 17 climbers, including eight women in two groups, have obtained permits to climb Dhaulagiri, informed Himal Gautam, Information Officer at the DoT. During last autumn season, 36 climbers had taken permits for Dhaulagiri, while no permits were issued for Annapurna.

In recent days, continuous rain and snowfall have made it difficult for climbers to reach the base camps, said Indra Singh Sherchan, a tourism entrepreneur from Dana in Annapurna Rural Municipality–3.

“Climbers who had obtained permits for Dhaulagiri and Annapurna were on their way to the base camps. However, sudden changes in the weather have made it difficult for them to proceed. It is currently snowing continuously at the base camps. As soon as the weather improves, climbers will resume their journey towards the base camps,” said Sherchan.