April 11: With the beginning of the spring season, which is considered ideal for mountaineering, the Department of Tourism has opened 20 peaks for climbing this season.

The department has issued climbing permits to 616 mountaineers of 70 as of Wednesday, April 10. Out of them, 288 individuals of 26 expedition team have got permission to climb Mt Everest. The list of Everest summiteers includes 49 women climbers.

According to the department, Indian nationals have acquired the maximum number of permits to climb Everest. A total of 67 Indian mountaineers including nine women climbers have got permission to summit Everest. Likewise, a team of 63 American mountaineers including three women climbers are scaling the top of the world this season.

 Additionally 39 British, 40 Chinese and seven Canadian climbers have got permission to climb Everest. Further, a team of twelve Nepali mountaineers including six female climbers have been granted permission to scale Everest.

Records maintained by the department shows that climbers prefer the spring season of the ascent.

The department has collected Rs 391.4 million in revenue from the 616 individuals out of which Rs 347.4 million was collected from permits for Everest.