In a historic first for Nepal's mountaineering sector, a team of 15 climbers is set to ascend Api Peak, located in the Api Himal range of Darchula district in Sudurpaschim Province.
The climbers were given a formal farewell during a program organized by the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) on Friday. On the occasion, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey, extended his best wishes to the team.
The government had recently granted an official permit for the ascent of Api Himal, marking the beginning of expeditions to this prominent peak in far-western Nepal.
Minister Pandey stated that the expedition would be a historic milestone not just for Sudurpaschim Province but for the entire country. He noted that the climb aligns with the government's recent policy decision to waive mountaineering permit fees for 97 peaks across Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces for a period of two years.
Speaking at the farewell event, Minister Pandey emphasized the importance of mountaineering in promoting Nepal’s global tourism image. “Joint efforts of Sherpa and non-Sherpa climbers have significantly contributed to the development of the mountaineering sector,” he said.
He added that the expedition would help boost tourism activities at the local level, particularly in Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces.
The climbers participating in the expedition are all from Api Rural Municipality in Darchula, underlining the increasing involvement of local communities in high-altitude mountaineering.
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