Authorities have stated that the floods in Rasuwa have not affected the mountaineering sector, based on the number of climbing teams granted permission for this year’s autumn season so far. The severe flooding in Rasuwa’s Bhote Koshi caused extensive damage to lives and property, with visuals spreading worldwide through social media. Although there were concerns about the potential impact on Nepal’s tourism industry, officials have provided reassuring responses on the matter. The Nepal Mountaineering Association noted that despite concerns about safety in the mountainous regions, no bookings have been cancelled to date.
According to the Department of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, a total of 513 climbers have been granted permission to undertake mountain expeditions this year. Of these, 377 are men and 136 are women. These 513 climbers, comprising 46 teams, have paid a total royalty fee amounting to 1,434,193 US dollars to the department.
Nepal’s two main mountaineering seasons are spring and autumn. Spring, from March to May, is the most popular season for ascending major peaks like Mount Everest, drawing a large number of climbers. The autumn season runs from mid-September until the end of November or occasionally the first week of December, considered the second most favorable climbing period, following the monsoon season. During autumn, permission has been issued for 46 teams to climb six peaks including Manaslu, Makalu, Dhaulagiri, Gangapurna West, Thorong Peak, among others, according to the department. Furthermore, data regarding expeditions on Ama Dablam and Himlung mountains is still pending, shared Suraj Ghimire, director of the department.
“Climbers usually prepare extensively for their expeditions, gathering detailed information well in advance since this is adventure tourism,” he explained. “There has been minimal impact from the flooding in climbing regions, so the mountaineering activities have not been significantly disrupted.” In Nepal, the Nepal Mountaineering Association grants permits primarily for peaks ranging from 5,500 to 6,500 meters altitudes. Ishwari Paudel, Senior Vice President of the Association, provided insights about the enthusiasm of climbers this year. “Based on our experience, most mountaineering and trekking trips have not been cancelled. Many inquire about potential changes close to their departure, which is natural,” Paudel said. “We have not observed serious problems, and even where floods occurred, their effects on the region have been relatively minimal. We have not seen any cancellations so far.”
Senior Vice President Paudel also mentioned that some have suggested the need for more support for flood recovery efforts. He went on to inform that many tourists have arrived at the Manaslu base camp for trekking and mountaineering activities. “Four to five hundred foreign climbers have reached base camp, and mountaineering on Manaslu has already started this year. Tourists are also arriving for expeditions on other mountains scheduled in October and November,” he added. “From the third week of September onward, climbing areas typically become busier.”
Surendra Pandey, Chairman of the Trekking Association of Nepal, reported that the floods in September particularly affected the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage route via Rasuwa Gadhi. He noted that about 70 percent of pilgrims have either cancelled or postponed their trips. Similarly, there has been an increase in cancellations across other tourism activities. He explained that international media reports of flooding have had some impact on tourism, causing minor disruptions. However, with the monsoon expected to end in October and only occasional landslides and floods expected thereafter, the overall effect on the tourism sector is projected to be limited.
