Around 400 climbers have reached the summit of Mount Everest so far this spring season, including popular Nepali dancer Kabita Nepali.

Elite Exped, the expedition organizer of the celebrated dancer, confirmed her accomplishment on social media. She summited Mount Everest on May 18, followed by Mount Lhotse on May 19. With this back-to-back ascent, Kabita became the first Nepali celebrity to complete the Everest–Lhotse traverse — a demanding feat that highlights her determination, endurance, and passion, the Everest Chronicles reported.

Previously, Nepali actresses Nisha Adhikari and Diya Pun had also climbed Mount Everest, but Kabita’s successful Everest–Lhotse combination marks a new milestone for Nepali entertainers in mountaineering, added the news report.

The state-owned national news agency RSS confirmed that 395 climbers reached atop Everest as of Tuesday, with many more climbers attempting for the final push during favourable weather.

According to the Department of Tourism, among the 395 climbers who summited Everest, 135 were foreign climbers and 235 were Sherpas supporting the expeditions. This season, 468 climbers from 47 groups received permits to climb the 8,848.86-meter-high peak, including 86 women and 382 men. In total, climbers from 57 countries have secured permits to scale Everest this spring.

In total, the government has issued climbing permits to 1,140 climbers from 124 expedition groups for 27 peaks, including Everest.

 

Multiple Fatalities

Despite the successes, this climbing season has seen several fatalities.

Indian climber Subrata Ghosh died on Thursday while descending from the Everest summit, AFP reported. Filipino climber Philipp Santiago, 45, died on Wednesday during his ascent, added the news agency.

Earlier this week, a French woman died while attempting to climb Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest peak. British media also reported that a UK climber was rescued on the same mountain.

Last week, American climber Alexander Pancoe died while attempting to summit Mt Makalu. Pancoe, a Northwestern University graduate and brain tumor survivor, was an experienced climber, according to CBS Chicago.

Additionally, an Austrian climber died last month while descending Ama Dablam, a 6,812-meter peak in Nepal.

Photos posted on Facebook page by Kabita Nepali.