The Everest climbing season officially began on Friday after a team of rope-fixing climbers reached the summit of the world’s highest peak, paving the way for other climbers earlier than usual.

A team from 8K Expeditions successfully established the climbing route to the 8,848.86-metre summit of Mt Everest, said Himal Gautam, director at the Department of Tourism, the government body issuing climbing permits.

According to the Expedition Operators Association of Nepal, the route's early opening is expected to enhance climber safety, reduce congestion, and offer greater flexibility for summit attempts.

The rope-fixing team that reached the summit included experienced climbers Tsering Pemba Sherpa, Ashok Lama, Pem Nurbu Sherpa, Tashi Sherpa, Karma Gyaljen Sherpa, Tashi Gyalzen Sherpa, and Pas Tenzi Sherpa.

So far this season, the Department of Tourism has issued permits to 456 foreign climbers, making it the second-highest number in Everest’s climbing history, following the 479 permits issued in 2023. “We may still see a slight increase in this number, as some applications are delayed due to technical issues with their agencies,” said Gautam.

Commercial expeditions are now underway, with one group planning to make a summit push as early as Friday night. Given that most climbers ascend with the help of Nepali guides—often at a ratio of one guide per climber—the number of people heading toward the summit could exceed 1,000.

The Everest climbing season typically ends by late May, before the onset of the summer monsoon, which brings dangerous weather conditions and effectively shuts down summit attempts.