Dear Friends,
Namaste and warm greetings from Nepal.
As promised in my previous newsletter, in this email I am giving you some figures and statistics in an attempt to answers interesting and important questions that many people have asked about mountaineering in the Himalayas.
I attempt to answer questions such as how many people have climbed Mt. Everest? How many climbers were on other major peaks? Who are the record holders this spring season? Where in the world most climbers come from? What is the importance of Mountaineering to the Nepalese economy? Etc.
I have colleted and verified this information through 4 main sources:
- Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (Government of Nepal),
- China Tibet Mountaineering Association
- Nepal Mountaineering Association and
- The excellent archives of Miss Elizabeth Hawley.
I would also like to give my thanks to the various individuals and organisations in verifying the information:·Members of Expedition Operators Association of Nepal (EOA), ·Expedition Leaders, managers, climbers, sirdars, sherpas and expedition liaison officers.
Using the figures and statistics obtained from them I have used my best estimates and calculations to give you the answers below.
How Many People Have Climbed Mt. Everest Until Today?
Between 1953 and 2010, the total number of ascents was 5078 by 3167 individuals (some having summited more than once). This year’s spring total has seen 375 more ascents from Nepal of which 195 were new summiteers. Similarly, there were 131 summits from Tibet of which·86 are new summiteers and the rest were repeat summiteers. In summary, the total number of ascent of Mt. Everest until today is·5584, whereas the actual number of persons having summited Mt. Everest is·3448 till date.
How Many Climbing Teams And How Many Climbers Came To Nepal During This Spring Climbing Season?
1.Expedition Peaks whose permits are issued by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (Government of Nepal).
2.Climbing Peaks (NMA Peaks), whose permits are issued by Nepal Mountaineering Association.
As a simple rule of thumb, the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation manages 8000m and 7000m peaks while NMA manages the 33 popular peaks ranging from 5587m to 6654m.
Mountaineering Expedition Peaks:
The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation issued a total of 92 permits to Mountaineering teams to various peaks in this spring season of 2011. Of these, 23 were permits for·foreign Mt. Everest expedition teams; with 234 climber, 259 High Altitude Climbing Sherpas (HAS) and 164·kitchen staffs (at Base Camp and Camp 2). Amazingly, out of 259 HAS, 219 summited Mt.Everest (85% of this Climbing Season’s total). Similarly, out of 234 foreign climbers, 156 summited Mt.Everest (67% of this Climbing Season’s total) After Nepalese, Americans, British and Indians had the highest number of summiteers on Everest with 39, 27 and 19 summitteers respectively.
Also, there were 3 Nepalese Everest Expedition teams with 17 climbers and 21 HAS going above Base Camp and one·Nepalese women team of 4·women climbers·on Annapurna IV. Nepalese teams do not have to pay peak permit fees, if the Cabinet of Ministers sanctions their expedition.
Economic Contribution Of Mt. Everest Expeditions (Nepal Side In The Spring 2011 Climbing Season:
The following are the estimated economic contributions from south side of Mt. Everest in this climbing season of Spring 2011:
| ITEM | US$ | NEPALESE RUPEES | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Total·Mt. Everest Climbing ·Permit Fee from 23··Foreign Exp.Teams | 23,81,000/ | 17,14,32,000/ |
| 2 | Total porter wages from Lukla to EBC -·9,660·porter loads of 30kgs each load | 11,06,875/ | 7,96,95,000/ |
| 3 | Total porter wages from B.C. to Lukla- 5,313 porter loads of 30kgs each load | 6,08,781/ | 4,38,32,250/ |
| 4 | HAS- Equipment allowances, wages, climbing bonus, summit bonus, insurance, etc | 10,79,166/ | 8,14,72,752/ |
| 5 | BC and C2 kitchen staffs- Equipment allowances, wages, insurance·etc. | 4,55,556/ | 3,28,00,000/ |
| 6 | Flights: Ktm/Lukla Or Shyangboche/Ktm for passengers and luggage, helicopter flight,·hotels in Ktm & on the way, transfers, meals etc······· | 7,32,330/ | 5,27,27,760/ |
| 7 | Insurance for porters, food purchase, kitchen utensils,·drinks, EBC fuels, solar panels & generators for lighting, charges, fresh supplies | 4,50,670/ | 3,24,48.240/ |
| 8 | Sleeping tents, dining tents, kitchen & storage tents, toilet tents, mattresses, chairs, tables, heaters·etc··········· | 4,37,000/ | 3,14,64,000/· |
| 9 | H.A. foods, HA fuel, oxygen bottles, masks, regulators, climbing equipments, common climbing equipments, ice fall route fixing charges, route fixing charges above C1 to summit,·EBC HRA Aid post fee, SPCC garbage management & disposal fee·etc. | 17,64,600/ | 12,70,51,200/ |
| Total·economic contribution from Mt. Everest Expedition teams in one climbing season of Spring 2011 | 90,15,978/ | 64,91,15,042/ |
What Other Expedition Peaks Were Climbed This Spring 2011?
Beside Everest Expeditions, there were 65 foreign Expedition teams to various other mountains.
| NAME OF PEAK | ALTITUDE | NUMBER OF PERMITTED TEAMS | NUMBER OF FOREIGN CLIMBERS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mt. Kanchanjunga | 8586m | 3 | 36 |
| Mt. Lhotse | 8516m | 7 | 64 |
| Mt. Makalu | 8463m | 4 | 36 |
| Mt. Dhaulagiri | 8167m | 3 | 19 |
| Mt. Manaslu | 8163m | 5 | 53 |
| Mt. Annapurna I | 8091m | 2 | 9 |
| Mt. Amadablam | 6812m | 5 | 29 |
| Mt. Bamaongo | 6400m | 1 | 1 |
| Mt. Baruntse | 7129m | 4 | 28 |
| Mt. Bhemdang Ri | 6150m | 1 | 11 |
| Mt. Changla | 6553m | 1 | 6 |
| Mt. Danfe Sail | 6103m | 1 | 2 |
| Mt. Dampush | 6012m | 2 | 12 |
| Mt. Gaugiri | 6110m | 1 | 8 |
| Mt. Gaurishanker | 7134m | 1 | 3 |
| Mt. Gyajikang | 7038m | 1 | 2 |
| Mt. Jannu | 7710m | 1 | 5 |
| Mt. Jobo Rinjang | 6666m | 1 | 5 |
| Mt. Kang Kura | 6355m | 1 | 9 |
| Mt. Khumjung | 6699m | 1 | 4 |
| Mt. Pumori | 7161m | 1 | 3 |
| Mt. Saribung | 6346m | 5 | 21 |
| Mt. Thapa Peak | 6012m | 1 | 3 |
| Mt. Nuptse | 7855m | 4 | 27 |
| Mt. Thorang Peak | 5751m | 1 | 11 |
| Mt. Roma | 5407m | 1 | 2 |
| Mt. Kyashar | 6770m | 1 | 2 |
| Mt. Thulagi Peak | 7059m | 1 | 4 |
| Mt. Tukuche Peak | 6920m | 1 | 5 |
| Mt. Putha Hiunchuli (Free expedition permit fee as this mountain lies in mid western Nepal) | 7246m | 2 | 7 |
| Mt. Tilicho Peak | 7134m | 1 | 8 |
Similarly there·was one·Nepalese women team of 4 women·on Annapurna IV (7525m). This spring 2011, Nepal saw that the most number of climber (besides Nepalis) on the Expedition Peaks were from the USA with 129 climbers, Indians with 48 climbers and British climbers with 36 climbers. Sadly, perhaps due to the Earthquake and Tsunami, the number of Japanese climbers has sharply dropped this year.
On Mt. Everest, 60 per cent of the climbers were Nepalese (High Altitude Climbing Sherpas) while 40 per cent were foreign climbers. However, on other Expedition Peaks, 38% of the climbers were Nepalese and 62 per cent were foreign climbers.
To Summarize: This spring the other Expedition Peaks of Nepal (beside Mt.Everest) saw a total of 465·foreign climbers, plus·229 HAS and·265 kitchen staffs. My best estimate is that these teams had approximately 8631 porter loads to their respective Base Camps and·5610 porter loads from Base Camp back down to the road head or airport.
Economic Contribution From These Expedition Teams In Climbing Season Of Spring 2011:
The following is my estimate of the economic contributions that expedition teams (other than Mt. Everest) provide in this climbing season of Spring 2011.
| ITEM | US$ | NEPALESE RUPEES | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The total peak permit collection from these peaks | · 3,83,700: | · 2,76,26,400: |
| 2 | Total porter wages to·BC -·8631 porter loads ·and back from BC-·5610 porter loads·· | 14,89,927: | ·11,74,88,250: |
| 3 | HAS- Equipment allowances, remuneration, climbing bonus, summit bonus, insurance·etc· | ·7,95,139:· | ·· 5,72,50,025: |
| 4 | BC and C2 kitchen staffs equipment allowances, remuneration,·allowances, insurance·etc. | ·7,36,111:· | ·· 5,29,99,992: |
| 5 | Flights: For passengers and luggage, helicopter flight, transportations, ·hotels in Ktm & on the way, transfers, meals,·insurance for porters, food purchase, kitchen utensils,·drinks, EBC fuels, solar panels & generators for lighting, charges, fresh supplies, EBC·tents, dining tents, kitchen & store tents, toilet tents, mattresses, chairs, tables, heaters·etc························ | 17,35,400:· | ·12,49,48,800: |
| 6 | H.A. foods, HA fuel, oxygen bottles, masks, regulators, climbing equipments, common climbing equipments, ice fall route fixing charges, route fixing charges above C1 to summit,·EBC HRA Aid post fee, SPCC garbage management & disposal···fee·etc· | 14,54,500: | ·10,47,24,000: |
| Total·economic contribution from Mt. Everest Expedition teams in one climbing season of Spring 2011 | ·67,36,631: | 48,50,37,467: |
NMA Climbing Peaks:
Total permits issued by·Nepal Mountaineering Association·to·NMA Peak climbing·teams to various·NMA peaks are·447·climbing·teams with total 2015 foreign climbers·in Spring 2011.·These teams recruited·2317 persons as climbing guides, assistant guides, cooks·and kitchen staffs·and I estimate approximately·15,162 porters to Base Camp and·9,855 porter loads back from Base Camp.
Climbing Teams On NMA Climbing Peaks For Spring 2011
| S.N. | PEAKS | NUMBERS OF EXP. TEAMS | FOREIGN MEMBERS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Island ( 6183 m) | 210 | 996 |
| 2 | Mera ( 6654 m) | 85 | 407 |
| 3 | Pisang ( 6091m) | 49 | 259 |
| 4 | Chulu West ( 6419 m) | 13 | 38 |
| 5 | Lobuche ( 6119m ) | 11 | 49 |
| 6 | Pharchamo( 6187 m) | 10 | 35 |
| 7 | Chulu East ( 6584 m) | 9 | 41 |
| 8 | Tharpuchuli ( 5663 m) | 8 | 22 |
| 9 | Kyazori ( 6186 m) | 7 | 27 |
| 10 | Pokhalde ( 5806 m) | 6 | 20 |
| 11 | Paldor ( 5896 m) | 6 | 14 |
| 12 | Kusum Kangu ( 6367 m) | 5 | 23 |
| 13 | Ganjalachuli (5844m) | 5 | 19 |
| 14 | Yala ( 5732 m) | 4 | 17 |
| 15 | Larkya ( 6010m) | 4 | 12 |
| 16 | Singuchuli (6501m) | 3 | 10 |
| 17 | Pharilaptsa | 3 | 4 |
| 18 | Kwangde ( 6011 m) | 2 | 3 |
| 19 | Madri Himal ( 5587 m) | 1 | 2 |
| 20 | Chola Tse (6440 m) | 1 | 1 |
| 21 | Khongma Tse ( 5849 m) | 1 | 1 |
| 22 | Bokta( 6143 m) | 1 | 4 |
| 23 | Langsisa Ri( 6427 m) | 1 | 1 |
| 24 | Hiunchuli ( 6441 m) | 1 | 5 |
| 25 | Ramdung( 5925 m) | 1 | 5 |
| Total Teams = 447 | Total Climbers: 2015 |
On NMA peaks: The highest number of climbers were from the UK with 258 climbers, second were Germans with 240 climber and the USA with 190 climbers. On NMA peaks: 33 per cent of Climbers were Neaplese, whereas 67 per cent were foreign climbers.
Economic Contribution By NMA Peaks In This Climbing Season Of Spring 2011:
The following are the estimated economic contributions from·the NMA Peak climbing·teams·in this climbing season of Spring 2011:
| ITEM | US$ | NEPALESE RUPEES | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Total permit fee collection·from·447 climbing teams | · 1,84,975: | · 1,33,18,200: |
| 2 | The total expenses on porter up to Base Camp and back from Base Camp | ·28,66,531:· | 20,63,90,250: |
| 3 | HAS- Equipment allowances, remuneration, climbing allowances, insurance·etc· | · 7,10,500:· | · 5,11,56,000: |
| 4 | Camp staffs,·cooks, kitchen staffs & helpers’·remuneration,·allowances, insurance·etc. | ·7,16,100: | · 5,15,59,200: |
| 5 | Flights: For passengers and luggage, helicopter flight, transportations, airport tax,··hotels in Ktm & on the way, transfers, meals, insurance for porters, food purchase, kitchen utensils,·drinks, fuels, solar panels, charges, fresh supplies, BC·tents, dining tents, kitchen, toilet tents, mattresses, chairs, tables·etc | 18,24px,500: | 24px,05,72,000: |
| 6 | H.A. foods, HA fuel, oxygen bottles, masks, regulators, climbing equipments, common climbing equipments, SPCC garbage management & disposal·fee·etc | · 9,06,750: | · 6,52,86,000: |
| Total·economy contribution from·NMA Peak climbing·teams in·this climbing season of Spring 2011· | ·71,98,35,625: | 51,82,81,650: |
Tibet Expeditions On Mt. Everest And Other 8000m Peaks- Spring 2011:
This climbing season, on the Tibet side of Mt. Everest, there were 17 teams with 139 foreign climber, 156 HAS,·22 Chinese Exp. Members and guides·and 7 Tibetan/Chinese rope fixing team members. Among them 46 foreign climbers,·56 HAS and·29 Chinese/ Tibetan climbers reached the top of Mt. Everest from North Side this Spring Season. On Mt. Cho-Oyu there were 10 teams with a total of·112 climbers (including HAS) and·among them 11 foreign climbers and 12 HAS reached the summit of Mt. Cho-Oyu. On Mt. Shishapangma there were 8 teams with a total of 60 climbers (including HAS) and among them 16 foreign climbers and 7 HAS reached the top of Mt. Shishapangma from both the South Face and the Normal Route (North Side). Notable Records and Ascents on Climbing Season 2011:
World Records And Remarkable Climbs In This Climbing Season 2011:
Apa Sherpa, Climbing Leader of Eco Everest Expedition 2011 reached the summit of Mt. Everest for the 21st time – a new world record with the message of “Stop Climate Change” on 11 May 2011. Phurba Tashi Sherpa is now the person with the most number of ascents to the top of 8000m peaks. He has climbed Mt. Everest 19 Times (Second to Apa Sherpa), Mt. Cho Oyu 5 times, Mt. Manaslu 2 times, Mt. Shishapagma once and Mt.Lhotse once; a total of 28 ascents of 8000m peaks.
Arjun Vajpai (17 yrs 11mths) the youngest India Everest summiteers, who climbed Mt. Everest with Asian Trekking’s Eco Everest Expedition 2010 is now also the youngest Mt. Lhotse summiteer. Earlier Ms.Tamara Lunger of Italy was the youngest Lhotse Summit record holder who summitted Spring 2010 at the age of 23 years old.
Mr. Vikash Kaushik (24 yrs) and Mrs. Sushma Kaushik (27 yrs) are the first Indian Couple to summit Mt. Everest and·they claim to be the·youngest couple in the world. Swiss Speed Climber Ueli Steck reached the Summit of Mt. Shishapangma (8027m) via the South Face Route on 17th April. This was the first Summit of any 8000m Peak in the spring climbing season. Ueli Steck broke the previous record of Inaki Ochoa de Olza via the Austrian Route (14 hours) in 2006, and became the record holder for fastest ascent of Mt. Shishapangma (10:30 hours).
Charlie Wittmack, leader of the American team of an autonCharlie_Wittmack_below_the_Hillary_Stepomous part of the Eco Everest Expedition reached the top of Mt. Everest and became the first person to accomplished his trip to Nepal by swimming the length of the Thames river in England prior to swimming the English channel and finally hopping on his bike and cycling all the way to Tibet·from Calais In France.
Chhurim·Dolma Sherpa (27yrs) of Nepal became the first Woman to summit Mt. Everest twice in one climbing season (12 May and 19 May).
Carlos Soria (72yrs) of Spain is the oldest person to summit Mt. Lhotse. He reached the top of Mt. Lhose on·21 May
National Records:
Premlata Agrawal (DOB 20-10 -1963), member of Eco Everest Expedition team·became the Oldest Women to summit Mt. Everest from India. She reached the top on 20 May. Bernardo Guarachi and Elio Guarachi from Bolivia became the first father and son from Bolivia to summit and also the first summiteers of Mt. Cho-Oyu on 5 May·in this Spring climbing season. Carlos Eduardo Santalena (24 yrs) who was on the Eco Everest expedition,·became the youngest Brazilian to summit Mt. Everest. He reached the top on 7 May.
Martin Byrne(58yIMG_2867rs) of Ireland now has the distinction of being the oldest Irish citizen to reach the summit of Mt. Everest from north side on 26 May. The next person was Lynn Hannah from Northern Ireland who was 48 in 2009.· She climbed from the Nepal side that year.
Sanubabu Sunuwar and Lhakpa Tshering Sherpa of Nepal flew by paraglider from the summit of Everest to Shyanboche Airstrip (above Namche Bazaar) covering about 20 kilometer on 21 May.
The first Nepalese Civil Servants team to Mt. Everest succeeded, putting 9 Nepalese Civil Servants and 15 Climbing Sherpas on the top on 18 May.
Gangaamaa Badamgaray became the first Mongolian woman to summit Mt. Everest from the north side. She summited on 21 May.
Alf Robin Tryggis the youngest Swedish to reach the top of Mt. Everest. He summited on·13 May.
Karim Merino Mellaand Ivan·EG Carrascoare the first Dominicans to summit Mt.Everest. They summited on·21 May.
Mingma Sherpa became the first Nepalese to climb all 14, 8000m Peaks. He climbed·his last 8000m Peak, Kanchenjunga, on 20th May.
Cleonice Weidlich became the first Brazilian to summit Mt. Kanchenjunga. She summited on·20 May.
Israfil Ashurly became the first Azerbaijani to summit Mt. Kanchenjunga. He summited Mt.Kanchenjunga on·20 May.
Tunc Findik became the first·Turkish to summit Mt. Kanchenjunga. He summited on·20 May.
Anselm Murphy became the first·Irish to summit Mt. Kanchenjunga. He summited on·20 May.
Azim Gheychisaz became the first·Iranian to summit Mt. Kanchenjunga. He summited on·20 May.
Dragan Celikovicbecame the first·Serbian to summit Mt. Kanchenjunga. He summited Mt.Kanchenjunga on·20 May.
Barbara “Billi” Bierling became the first·German woman·to summit Mt. Lhotse. She summited on·26 May.
Laszlo Gal and Zsolt Eross became the first·Hungarians to summit Mt. Lhotse.·They summited on·21 May.
Wang Jingbecame the first·Chinese woman·to summit Mt. Lhotse. She summited on·26 May.
Parvaneh Kazemi became the first·Iranian woman·to summit Mt. Manaslu. She summited·on·29 April.
Britt Volden, Stian Slettum Voldmo and Oyvin Thon became the first·Norwegians to summit Mt. Dhaulagiri. They summited on·14 May.
Nima Rai, Mina Gurung, Shantikala Rai and Sarswati B.K. are the first Nepalese women to summit Mt. Annapurna IV (7525m). They reached the summit on 31 May along with their 4 high altitude climbing Sherpas.
Fatal Events On Mountains:
Besides the good news I also have sad news to share. The following are the fatal events that took place on Everest and other mountains during this climbing season.
We express our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members.
| Name | Country | Age | Died Date | Mountain/Altitude |
| Isa Mir-Shekari | Iran | 38yrs | 29 Apr | Manaslu at C4 (7460 m) |
| Rick Hitch | America | 55yrs | 3 May | Everest, just below·C 3 (7400m) |
| Sailendra Kumar Upadhyaya | Nepal | 82 yrs | 9 May | Everest, Icefall (Pop Corn) 5780m) |
| Takashi Ozaki | Japan | 58yrs | 12 May | Everest, near balconi (8500m) |
| John Delaney Gerard | Ireland | 41yrs | 21 May | Everest-North Side (87998m) 50 m below summit· |
| Donald Naar | Dutch | 56yrs | 23 May | Cho-Oyu/ C3 (7500 m) |
| Joëlle Brupbacher | Switzerland | 33yrs | 22 May | Makalu/Camp 3 |
| Masue Yoshida | Japan | 63yrs | 4 June· | Naya Kanga peak/ 5844m |
| Kumar Rai | Nepal | 36yrs | 4 June· | Naya Kanga peak/ 5844m |
Alain Pierre Marie Laurens (54yrs) of France, Bernard Jean Francois Millan (53yrs) of France and Tashi Tshering Sherpa (38yrs -Khumjung) were missing after returning from the Summit of Mt. Manaslu on 11 May. Later Tashi Tshering’s body was found and brought to Kathmandu by helicopter.
Leader of Thulagi Bielorussia Nickolay Bandalet and member Serguey Belous are missing on Thulagi Peak (7057m) in Manaslu region since May 8.
Free Climbing Permit Fee For Peaks ·In The Far West And Mid West Region Of Nepal:
On the occasion of Nepal Tourism Year 2011, Nepal Government has declared Free Peak Permit Fee to all the Opened Peaks of Mid Western and Far Western region of Nepal for mountaineering expedition until 16 July 2014. If you need any further information please let us know.
I hope that you find this information interesting and helpful. My calculations are estimates but I have done my best to keep them as accurate as possible. If you have any questions then please don’t hesitate to email me. Also, if you would like to know more about mountaineering and trekking in the Himalayas then please do get in touch with.
Best Regards,
Ang Tshering Sherpa
Chairman
Asian Trekking
