The Nepal Mountaineering Operators’ Association has handed over the responsibility for opening the routes and fixing ropes for the ascent of Mount Everest and Lhotse in the 2025 season to a team of eight Sherpa guides, led by aspiring guide Ashok Lama. The base camp and logistics management for this task is provided by ATK Expeditions.
The team, which includes Ashok Lama, Karma Gyaljen Sherpa, Pem Nurbu Sherpa, Ming Dawa Sherpa, Tashi Sherpa, Pasa Rinji Sherpa, Pastingen Sherpa, and Tashi Norbu Sherpa, will begin their journey to Everest Base Camp on March 21. According to Pempa Sherpa, the director of ATK Expeditions, the team is highly experienced and will prioritize safety. They aim to complete the task on time while considering favorable weather conditions. A backup team will also be ready, and coordination with other climbing agencies will be carried out.
This is the first time these members will be fixing ropes on Everest and Lhotse. The team is excited and committed to ensuring climbers can ascend on time. Continuous coordination between the rope-fixing team and relevant authorities will take place to ensure smooth operations throughout the season.
The event took place in Thamel today (Tuesday), where tools were handed over to Ashok Lama and the team in the presence of officials including Expedition Operators Association President Dambar Parajuli, Senior Vice President of the Nepal Mountaineering Association Thakur raj Pandey, General Secretary of the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal Sonam G. Sherpa, and Expedition Operators Association Secretary Rishi Bhandari.
