First foreign climbers summit Everest after two disastrous years
Three foreign climbers, two Britons and a Mexican, reached the summit of Mount Everest on Thursday, the first ascents of the world’s highest peak by foreigners since 2014.
Three foreign climbers -- two Britons and a Mexican -- reached the summit of Mount Everest on Thursday. This is the first ascent of the world’s highest peak by foreigners since 2014, when expeditions were suspended after an avalanche claimed the lives of 16 Sherpas.
A trekker stands in front of Mount Everest on May 7, 2014. (Reuters File)
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Kenton Cool and Robert Richard Lucas, both from Britain, along with two Sherpas, Dorje Gyalzen Sherpa and Pemba Bhote, reached the peak at 8:00 am IST, officials at Kathmandu-based Himalayan Guides informed.
“A total of six climbers reached the summit from the Nepalese side on Thursday. Mexican climber David Liano Gonzalez and Pasang Rita Sherpa were the others,” said Ang Tshering Sherpa, president of Nepal Mountaineering Association.
An avalanche triggered by last year’s devastating earthquake in April killed 19 climbers, putting an end to expeditions in 2015.
Thursday’s successful ascents come after nine Nepali Sherpas attached with various expeditions reached the summit on Wednesday evening. The Sherpas responsible for preparing the route were the first to reach the peak since 2014.
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“It was the 12th ascent of Everest by 42-year-old Cool, making him the most successful British climber on the peak. For Lucas, who is 53, it was his first summit achievement,” said Ishwari Paudel of Himalayan Guides.
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“It was the 12th ascent of Everest by 42-year-old Cool, making him the most successful British climber on the peak. For Lucas, who is 53, it was his first summit achievement,” said Ishwari Paudel of Himalayan Guides.
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All the climbers are reported to be safe and are on their way back to the Everest Base Camp located at 5,364 metres above sea level.
Nearly 300 climbers from across the world have gathered at the base of Everest in an attempt to scale the peak. Several of them are those who have returned after disappointments of last two years.
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