Expeditions to major peaks, including Sagarmatha (Mt Everest) and Kanchenjunga, scheduled for today (May 12), were disrupted due to adverse weather conditions.

According to the Department of Tourism, high winds in the region forced the postponement of Everest ascents. Director Himal Gautam confirmed the news report.

Many climbers have returned to safer locations, while others with sufficient oxygen supplies are waiting at Camps II and III, hoping for improved weather, said Pasang Bhote, a representative from the Department’s temporary field office.

Climbers’ plans to reach the summit within the next few days have been derailed. Those already at Camp IV are expected to descend to base camp over the next two days. Expeditions are likely to remain suspended for three to four days, with a possible resumption on May 18 if weather conditions improve.

Had the weather remained stable, many climbers were expected to summit between May 11 and 14. Although snowfall was originally forecast for May 16 and 17, adverse conditions arrived five days earlier than predicted.

So far, only seven members of rope-fixing teams have reached the summit of Everest this spring, according to the Department’s field office.

This season, 1,127 climbers—240 women and 887 men—from 119 teams have received permits to scale 26 peaks, including Sagarmatha. The largest group comprises 453 climbers (84 women and 372 men) from 45 teams attempting to summit Sagarmatha. -- RSS