Eighty-five-year-old Min Bahadur Sherchan has announced to make another bid to reclaim a record for the oldest man to summit Mt Everest.

He became the oldest person to scale the peak at the age of 78 in 2010. However, Japanese mountaineer Yuchiro Miura, 80, broke his record in May 2013.

The ex-Gurkha soldier from Myagdi had to return from the base camp last year after the April 25 earthquake led to cancellation of all expeditions. Earlier in 2013, he had called off a planned expedition on the highest mountain, which he claims, due to government’s delay in issuing climbing permit. The octogenarian says he in insolent health and that this endeavour will “encourage elderly people and excite the youths to strive towards their goal”.

Surya Thapa, a supporter of Sherchan’s campaign and the head of Tourism Department at CPN UML, said the climber has already obtained a permit. “The Department of Tourism has extended his last year’s climbing permit for this year,” says Thapa.   

The Myagdi Non-Resident Nepalis Association in the UK, the Magar Association and Himalayan Guides Nepal among others have set up committees to collect funds and provide technical support for Sherchan’s bid.