Four months after an earthquake-triggered avalanche killed 19 mountaineers, Mount Everest is again open to climbers.
Tourism Minister Kripasur Sherpa gave the first climbing permit since the disaster to Japanese climber Nobukazu Kuriki in a ceremony in Kathmandu on Sunday.
"The main purpose of my climb is to spread the message that Nepal was safe for climbers and trekkers even after the earthquake," Kuriki, who is making his fifth attempt to scale the mountain, told reporters. The last time he attempted the feat, he lost nine fingers to frostbite.
無事にネパール首都カトマンズに着きました⇒ http://t.co/w0ksjNUWh2 pic.twitter.com/rWEWjr6lLH— 栗城 史多 (@kurikiyama) August 23, 2015
Kuriki plans to leave for the mountain on Tuesday, aiming to complete the climb by mid-September.
Fall is a difficult time to attempt to climb the mountain -- most climbers make the trek in the spring.
April's earthquake killed more than 9,000 people in Nepal, and injured an estimated 23,000. In addition to causing the deadliest day in Everest's history, the quake's destruction dealt a serious blow to the country's tourism industry, which is integral to the economy.
ブログ更新しました⇒「行ってきます！！ エベレスト登頂＆生中継まであと24日」 http://t.co/uZCtjPq4jp pic.twitter.com/bCZDxXM8Lb— 栗城 史多 (@kurikiyama) August 21, 2015
Nepal has been desperate to bring back the tens of thousands of tourists who enjoy trekking the country's mountain trails and climbing its Himalayan peaks.
Additional reporting by the Associated Press