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11 Guides Summit Everest, Opening 2026 Spring Climbing Route

Eleven climbers reached the summit of Mount Everest on Wednesday, completing rope fixing for the 2026 spring climbing season. The Nepali government assigned the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee and Expedition Operators Association to manage the route. Icefall doctors, specialized Sherpa teams, and 11 climbing guides participated in the operation. A record 492 mountaineers have received climbing permits for the spring season.

Key Points: 11 Guides Reach Everest Summit, Opens 2026 Season

  • 11 climbing guides reached Everest summit on May 13
  • Rope-fixing team completed route opening for spring 2026 season
  • Icefall doctors and guides deployed for operation
  • 492 mountaineers received climbing permits, a record high
2 min read

11 guides reach Everest summit as Nepal opens 2026 spring climbing season

11 guides reach Mount Everest summit, fixing ropes and opening the route for the 2026 spring climbing season in Nepal.

"Icefall doctors are a specialised team of highly experienced Nepali Sherpas responsible for creating and maintaining the route. - Department of Tourism"

Kathmandu, May 13

Eleven climbers reached the summit of Mount Everest on Wednesday as they completed fixing the ropes, officially opening the route to the world's highest peak for the spring 2026 climbing season.

The Department of Tourism said in a statement that the rope-fixing team successfully reached the summit of Everest at 10:25 am on Wednesday, paving the way for climbers attempting the mountain during the ongoing spring expedition season.

The Nepali government had assigned the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) to manage the climbing route through the Khumbu Icefall from Everest Base Camp to Camp II. The Expedition Operators Association Nepal (EOA-Nepal) was entrusted with fixing ropes above Camp II to the summit.

They deployed icefall doctors and mountain guides to fix the rope on the route to the summit of Mt. Everest.

Icefall doctors are a specialised team of highly experienced Nepali Sherpas responsible for creating and maintaining the, often dangerous, route through the Khumbu Icefall on Mount Everest.

They are not medical doctors, but are nicknamed "doctors" because they "heal" the route, fixing ladders and ropes to ensure climbers safely navigate the unstable glacier, preventing fatal accidents.

In a press release, the Department of Tourism said the task was completed through coordination among various agencies despite geographical challenges, seasonal weather variations, and operational risks in the high Himalayas.

The Department said eight icefall doctors and 11 climbing guides participated in the operation. Among those who reached summit include: Mingma Dorchi Sherpa, Pasang Tashi Sherpa, Lopsang Bhutia, Ming Nurbu Sherpa, Chhomba Tenji Sherpa, Guru Bhote, Pam Dorjee Sherpa, Mingma Tenje Sherpa, Ming Temba Sherpa, Dendi Sherpa and Pasang Nurbu Sherpa, according to the department.

Spring is considered the main Everest climbing season, attracting hundreds of climbers and support staff to Nepal each year. By Friday, as many as 492 mountaineers received climbing permits for Mt. Everest, which is the record high for the spring season, according to the tourism department.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Respect to the icefall doctors! They really are the unsung heroes of every Everest season. Such dangerous work – fixing ladders over crevasses. I hope the government ensures they get proper compensation and insurance. 11 guides reaching the summit is a testament to their teamwork.
R
Rohit P
Record 492 permits?! That's maddening. Everest is becoming a circus. It's good that the ropes are fixed early, but the overcrowding last seasons was scary. I hope the government of Nepal enforces better crowd management this spring. The mountain and the Sherpas deserve more respect.
S
Siddharth J
Amazing achievement by the guides! Sir Edmund Hillary would be proud. But honestly, 492 permits? That seems like a commercial venture gone wild. The spirit of adventure is being replaced by Instagram-driven tourism. Still, kudos to Mingma and the team for the safe rope fixing. 👏
N
Nikhil C
Heartwarming to see so many Sherpas being acknowledged. They are the backbone of every Everest expedition. But the numbers are worrying. Climate change is making the Khumbu Icefall more dangerous each year. I hope the government focuses on safety rather than just the revenue from permits.
J
James A
Good to see the season starting. The icefall doctors are incredibly brave. But 492 permits is a red flag. The mountain simply can't handle that many people in a short window. I hope the Nepali authorities have measures in place to prevent disasters. Safety first, always.

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