Solukhumbu, 13 March: With the arrival of spring, the necessary preparations have begun for the Everest expedition. The Everest Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) has stated that a ten-member team of ‘Icefall Doctors’ has left for the base camp to provide a safe route.
for the climbers. Chairman Lama Kaji Sherpa said that the construction and maintenance of the road in the Khumbu Icefall area has been being carried out under the management of the SPCC. According to him, since spring is the most favorable time for mountaineering, the experienced ‘Icefall Doctors’ team has moved towards the base camp from Namche with the necessary equipment and materials.
The team includes eight experienced ‘Icefall Doctors’ including the base camp manager Tshering Tenzing Sherpa. Two separate teams have been formed, led by Angsarki Sherpa and Dawa Jangbu Sherpa.
The team includes Dabanuru Sherpa, Nimtenji Sherpa, Mingmagyaljen Sherpa, Dabachiri Sherpa, Lakpasona Sherpa and Tendu Sherpa. Since 1997, the Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has entrusted the SPCC with the responsibility of constructing and maintaining the Khumbu Icefall route. Constructing mountaineering routes is considered extremely risky.
The Khumbu Icefall area is one of the most dangerous parts, where there is a risk of huge ice blocks, landslides and avalanches. The team has to construct a route to the second base camp of Everest, for which it will be necessary to hang ropes, place ladders in dangerous places, and stabilize unstable structures of snow and ice.
Traditional methods and site inspection tradition
The construction of the route for climbing Everest is carried out only after completing traditional methods and site inspection. According to the SPCC, special prayers are performed according to Buddhist tradition to start the construction of the climbing route. During this, local lamas try to please the mountain gods by performing pujas. Chairman Sherpa said that it is customary to set foot in risky areas like the icefall area only after receiving the blessings of the mountain gods.
Before the construction of the route, the site is inspected according to the traditional method. Only then does the construction of the route proceed. According to Chairman Sherpa, it is believed that this method will ensure the safety of climbers.
It is estimated that it will take about 20 days to build the road to the second base camp, but this period is expected to be extended if the weather is bad. Only after the road from the base camp to the upper part is built, professional climbing teams will be allowed to climb.
The SPCC has been charging a fee from foreign climbers for the construction and maintenance of climbing routes in the Everest region. There is a provision to charge 600 US dollars from each foreign climber. This fee is used for the construction, maintenance and environmental cleaning of the routes. The SPCC has been conducting various activities related to environmental protection in the base camp area, in addition to checking climbing permits.
These ‘icefall doctors’ who build routes for Everest climbs take risks by building ice bridges, finding routes for climbers’ safety, and preparing infrastructure in highly hazardous areas. “Without them, a successful journey for climbers is unimaginable. We do all the work of building and cleaning the routes. We are fulfilling our obligations as per the agreement with the Ministry of Tourism. This fee is our main source of income,” said SPCC Chairman Sherpa.
Preparations for Everest climb intensify
With the arrival of spring, preparations for the Everest expedition have been intensified. All necessary work has been done for the convenience of the climbers, and safety has been given high priority. The SPCC team is also active from the perspective of environmental protection. There is no definite data yet on how many climbers will climb Everest during this year’s climbing season, but a large number of climbers are expected to come compared to previous years.
“This year too, there is a possibility of large professional teams coming to climb Mount Everest. We are making necessary preparations for the construction of infrastructure at the base camp and the safety of climbers. As mountain tourism is very important for the economy of Nepal, we will coordinate with everyone and create an environment for safe climbing,” said Chairman Sherpa.
Similarly, tourism entrepreneur Bal Bahadur Darnal says that this season will be very successful if the weather remains favorable. “We are expecting a large number of climbers to come this year as well. We are making necessary preparations for safe climbing, including construction of routes, cleaning, environmental protection and more. We are confident that this season will also be successful,” he said.
All agencies involved in the Everest expedition are fully prepared. Necessary equipment, food and communication facilities are being provided from the base camp to the summit for the convenience of the climbers. Local Sherpa guides have been provided with special training, and various policies and implementation plans have been put forward for the long-term protection of the Himalayan environment.
