Myagdi. Climbers have started reaching the base camp for climbing the Annapurna Himal. The base camp for climbing the 8,091-meter-high Annapurna Himal is located in the geography of Annapurna Rural Municipality-4, Narchyang, Myagdi.
Shyam Purja, 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 Himal in the current spring season has increased.
‘The climbing team has pitched tents at the Annapurna Base Camp and made it like a village,’ he said. “In addition to the climbing team, domestic and foreign tourists have also started arriving.” According to him, tourists have also started coming to the peak, which is 4,100 meters above sea level, in addition to climbers.
According to the latest statistics released by the Department of Tourism on Tuesday, 30 men and 12 women from five groups have obtained permission to climb Annapurna in the spring season this year. Aarti Neupane, director of the department, informed that 58 people have so far obtained permits to climb five mountains for the spring season, with the highest number of tourists climbing Annapurna.
According to her, climbers from different countries of the world through Pioneer Adventure, Eight K Expedition, Email Nepal, Seven Summit, 14 Peaks Expedition, Makalu Adventure and Bochi Bochi Peaks have reached the base camp and started preparations.
Pemba Sherpa of Seven Summit, who reached the base camp to help Indian climbers climb, said that they plan to complete the Annapurna climb and go to Everest within 20 days. The Sherpas have started building a path from the base camp to the peak of the mountain. After resting and preparing for a few days 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. Three years after Maurice climbed Annapurna, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzin Norgay Sherpa climbed the highest peak, Everest, in 1953.
Annapurna is also called the ‘elder’ mountain because it was the first mountain to be climbed by humans above eight thousand meters. The first climber, Maurice Hergoz, The Annapurna Rural Municipality Office has stated that the Maurice Herzog Trekking Trail connecting Narchyang-Base Camp has been prepared by identifying the used route.
He mentioned that this trekking trail, which was identified in 2067 BS under the leadership of Narchyang leader Tej Gurung, has become a favorite of domestic and foreign tourists after basic infrastructure was prepared. After making the trekking trail systematic, this time, the workers carried the luggage and took it to the base camp, said Gurung, the engineer.
Until last year, both luggage and tourists used to go to the base camp by helicopter,” he said. “This time, even though the tourists went by helicopter, the luggage has been carried by 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 after the temporary structure ‘tent’ shelter was built in the trekking route and base camp area and arrangements were made to serve food and snacks, it has become easier for tourists. Previously, those who went to the Maurice Herzog trekking route and Annapurna climbing camp, which did not have hotel and lodge facilities, had to provide food, snacks, utensils, gas, clothes and other materials on their own.
After operating a tea shop at the foot of the waterfall, Sadhikharka, Guphanphant, Bhusket and temporary camps in the Panchkundtal area of the Annapurna base camp, it has become easier for tourists to eat and stay, said activist Gurung. According to him, the obligation to travel with heavy luggage has been removed, and employment and income-generating opportunities have been created at the local level.
The temporary camps can accommodate up to 50 tourists daily. The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) has stated that since there is a legal provision that permanent structures cannot be built in the area, permission has been given to set up camps in an area that can be operated during the tourist season.
Myagdi-based mediaperson Ganesh Gurung, who returned from the base camp on Monday, emphasized that although the facilities of temporary camps and restaurants are convenient, natural pricing and uniformity should be maintained.
One can reach the Annapurna Base Camp, 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. From Humkhola, which is a two-hour drive from Narchang, you can reach the base camp in two days and return on the third day.
Locals say that Annapurna Base Camp is a favorite among tourists because it can be reached in a short journey. The peaceful and secluded environment, wildlife, birds, forests, high mountain gorges, cascading waterfalls, and the blue Panchkund Lake at the foot of the Annapurna Himal are the attractions of the base camp. RSS
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