Climbers have started reaching the Annapurna Base Camp

Myagdi– Climbers have started reaching the base camp for climbing the Annapurna Himalayas. The base camp for climbing the 8,091-meter-high Annapurna Himalayas is located in the geography of Annapurna Rural Municipality-4, Narchyang, Myagdi. Shyam Purja, a ward member of Annapurna Rural Municipality-4, said that the base camp of climbers, Sherpas, guides, workers and tourists who have come to climb the Annapurna Himalayas in the current spring season has become bustling.
“At the Annapurna base camp, the climbing team has put up tents and made it like a village”, he said, “The arrival of the climbing team as well as internal and external tourists has also started.” According to him, climbers and tourists have also started coming to the base camp for sightseeing at an altitude of 4,100 meters above sea level.
According to the statistics released last Tuesday by the Department of Tourism, 30 men and 12 women from five groups have taken permission to climb Annapurna Himal during this year’s spring season. So far, 58 people have taken permission to climb the five mountains in the spring season, with Annapurna being the most popular tourist destination, informed the department’s director, Aarti Neupane.
According to her, climbers from different countries of the world through Pioneer Adventure, 8K Expedition, Email Nepal, Seven Summit, 14 Peaks Expedition, Makalu Adventure and Bochibochi Peaks have reached the base camp and started preparations.
Pemba Sherpa of Seven Summit, who reached the base camp to help the Indian climbers climb, said that they plan to complete the Annapurna climb within 20 days and go to Everest. “Sherpas have started building a road from the base camp to the top of the mountain. After a few days of rest and preparation at the base camp, the climbers will go to climb the mountain”, he said.
Spring is considered suitable for climbing Annapurna, the tenth highest mountain in the world. According to the Department of Tourism, 488 people have successfully climbed Annapurna so far. In 1950, Frenchman Maurice Hergoz climbed Annapurna for the first time. In 1953, three years after Maurice climbed Annapurna, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzin Norge Sherpa climbed the highest peak, Mount Everest.
Annapurna is also called the ‘eldest’ mountain because it was the first human to set foot above 8,000 meters. The Annapurna Rural Municipality Office has stated that the Maurice Hergoz trekking route connecting Narchyang and the base camp has been prepared by identifying the route used by the first climber Maurice Hergoz during his climb.
He mentioned that this trail, which was identified in 2067 under the leadership of Narchang leader Tej Gurung, became the choice of domestic and foreign tourists after the basic infrastructure was prepared. After the trekking route was made systematic, this time the workers carried the luggage to the base camp, said Gurung, an activist.
“Until last year, both the luggage and the tourists used to go to the base camp by helicopter,” he said, “This time, even if the tourists went by helicopter, the luggage has been carried by the porters.” He said that the use of the trekking route has reduced the expenses of the climbers and created employment opportunities for the porters.
Gurung said that the tourists have become more comfortable after the temporary structure ‘tent’ shelters were built in the trekking route and base camp area and arrangements were made to serve food and snacks. Previously, there were no hotel and lodge facilities, so those going to the Maurice Herzog Trail and the Annapurna Climbing Camp had to provide food, snacks, utensils, gas, clothes, etc. by themselves.
After operating a tea shop in Footphute waterfall, Sadhikhark, Cavephant, Bhusket and Panchkundatal complex of Annapurna base camp, it is easy for tourists to eat and stay, said the activist Gurung. According to him, the compulsion to travel with heavy luggage has been removed and employment and income-generating opportunities have been created at the local level.
Up to 50 tourists can stay in these temporary camps daily. The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) has stated that permission has been given to set up camps in designated areas so that they can be operated during the tourist season as there is a legal provision that permanent structures cannot be built in the area.
Ganesh Gurung, a journalist from Myagdi, who returned from the base camp on Monday, emphasized that although the facilities of the temporary camp and the restaurant are convenient, they should determine the normal charges and maintain uniformity.
One can reach the Annapurna Base Camp, which is located at an altitude of 4,100 meters above sea level, observing the banks of Mistrikhola, tall waterfalls, fascinating mountain ranges, unique geography, mountains, rare flora and fauna, along the way. From Humkhola, which is reached after a two-hour vehicle journey from Narchyang, one can reach the base camp in two days and return on the third day. Locals say that the Annapurna Base Camp is a favorite among tourists because it can be reached in a short journey. Calm and secluded environment, wildlife, animals, forests, high mountain gorges, footfall waterfalls, blue color Panchkundatal at the foot of Annapurna Himal are the attractions of the base camp.(Edited)Restore original