Autumn climbing season gains pace in Kanchenjunga region – The Himalayan Times – Nepal’s No.1 English Daily Newspaper

KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 27

The autumn climbing season in the Kanchenjunga region has gathered momentum, with several successful ascents and new climbing attempts reported in recent weeks.

Two French mountaineers – Benjamin Charles Eli Vedrines and Nicolas Paul Aristide – made the first-ever ascent of White Wave Peak (6,808 meters) in mid-September, marking a new milestone for Taplejung’s mountain range, according to Tenji Sherpa of Annapurna Foothills Treks and Expeditions.

A Chilean climber also recently scaled Pathivara Himal, located near the Kanchenjunga massif, while three French climbers have reached the base camp of Mount Kumbhakarna (Phaktanglung, 7,710 meters) to attempt an ascent of the 15th-highest peak in Nepal and 32nd-highest in the world. The mountain was first climbed by a French alpinist in 1962.

In recent years, interest in Taplejung’s lesser-known peaks has been on the rise. Last year, four South Korean climbers made the first ascent of Sharphu–5 (6,328 meters) in November, while in March this year, Chile’s Hernan Leal, Nepali climbers Lakpa Chhiring Sherpa and Nada Sherpa, and photographer Purnima Shrestha achieved the first ascent of Sharphu–4 (6,433 meters).

According to the Ghunsa Tourism Check Post Office, more than 300 foreign tourists have visited the Kanchenjunga region this season, which runs from late August to November. The Department of Tourism reported that during last year’s spring season, 41 climbers successfully summited Mount Kanchenjunga (8,586 meters), generating Rs 19.7 million in royalties.

(With inputs from RSS)