BMD

Some new mountaineering records that have lately been set have brought Nepal to the global spotlight even amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Few Nepali and foreign climbers have been able to create history on Mt. Dhaulagiri and Mt. Manaslu. Photojournalist Purnima Shrestha and Pasang Lhamu Sherpa have become the first Nepali women to climb the 8,167-metre Mt. Dhaulagiri. They reached the summit of this mountain in the early morning of October 1.

As a member of the SST-Dhaulagiri Expedition 2021 Autumn, organised by Seven Summit Treks, Shrestha made the ascent of the peak. As many as 20 other climbers from various countries, including Nepal, South Korea, China, Mexico and Italy, Japan, Pakistan and Sweden, were also in the expedition.

Sherpa belonged to a team handled by Pioneer Adventure Treks. Similarly, two women from India -- Baljeet Kaur and Piyali Basak -- conquered Mt. Dhaulagiri to become the first Indian women to set their feet atop the world’s seventh highest peak. They were also the members of the Pioneer Dhaulagiri Expedition 2021 that was organised by Pioneer Adventure Treks. Several other Nepali climbers belonging to the team also made it to the summit.
Meanwhile, 22 climbers were able to make an uncommon autumn ascent of Manaslu main summit (8,163m) on September 27. This feat was achieved in a gap of 45 years. The landmark mountaineering event also coincided with the World Tourism Day. The climbers were able to scale the main summit of Mt. Manaslu in autumn. The last time climbers scaled the main peak in autumn was in 1976.

The expedition was led by renowned Nepali climber Mingma Sherpa, who is better known as Mingma G. The team included 14 Nepali and eight foreign climbers, including Liu Mihe, 19, from China. Liu had been staying in Nepal since May because of the COVID-19 restrictions. His attempt to climb Mt. Lhotse was foiled by two cyclones.
As the short snow-covered rock outcrop is very steep and risky, the climbers normally hesitate to climb up the main peak. But it was possible this time around because of the experienced mountaineers like Mingma Sherpa. He was one of the 10 Nepali climbers to conquer K2 in January. The team reached the summit of the world’s second-highest peak, located in Pakistan in the winter season. Their exceptional feat has helped disseminate the message that Nepali climbers are capable of making it even the impossible possible.

Another important event to highlight Nepal at home and abroad was the trip of VIP delegates, including envoys of 11 various countries, to Pokhara during the World Tourism Day. The delegates were there at the invitation of the Gandaki Provincial government.

The guests had an opportunity to experience the unrivalled scenic beauty seen from Pokhara and its vicinity and explore the local culture during their three-hour hiking from Nagdanda of Annapurna Rural Municipality to Kaskikot. As the delegates were highly impressed by the natural beauty, cultural diversity and local hospitality, they are expected to help promote Pokhara and the surrounding areas as tourist attractions from their respective sides.

It is noteworthy that most tourist destinations and spots in the country have now begun witnessing some domestic as well as foreign tourists. If there is no resurgence of COVID-19 infections, the country is sure to see a revival of tourism from this autumn.