Permission granted to 12 teams to climb Everest

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Jan. 20: The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) has granted permission to 12 teams to climb the 8,848-meter Everest (Mt. Sagarmatha) during the upcoming spring season (March to May).

According to the ministry, five more teams are in the process of receiving permission to climb the world's tallest peak. The ministry expects more teams this spring as Nepal is organising the Golden Jubilee Celebration 2002-2003 to commemorate the first ascent of Everest.

The ministry has given permission to three expeditions each from France and USA; two from Japan, and one each from U.K., Italy, Germany and South Africa. Those making their bids on Everest are Everest 50 Expedition 2003 (France), Everest 50 Expedition 2003 (France), Everest 2003 (France), Team Everest 2003 (USA), Everest 2003 American Commemorative Expedition (USA), 2003 AAI Mt. Everest Expedition (USA), Club Yeti Everest Expedition (Japan), Miura Everest 2003 Expedition (Japan), Italy Everest Speed Expedition 2003, Jubilaeiums Expedition Mt. Everest 2003 (Germany), The Mt. Everest 50th Anniversary Expedition (UK) and The Discovery Mt. Everest Expedition (South Africa).

Two joint teams of the Royal Nepalese Army and Indian Army have also applied for permission. One expedition each from Korea, Romania and Ireland also want to try the mountain this spring.

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