TAPLEJUNG: A group of 10 climbers, including five Nepali mountaineers, successfully scaled Mt Kangchenjunga— the world’s third-highest peak—last Saturday.

This was the first successful ascent of the 8,586-meter mountain this climbing season, setting the stage for other climbers to begin their summit attempts.

The international climbers who reached the summit in Taplejung district include Flutura Ibrahimi (Kosovo), Adrian Michael Hayes (UK), Alireza Behpour and Seyedhamidreza Hashemi (Iran), and Saeed Almemari (UAE).

They were joined by Nepali climbers Lhakpa Temba Sherpa, Phur Sona Sherpa, Ngima Dorchi Sherpa, Gyalu Sherpa, and Chhangba Sherpa. Thaneshwor Guragain, manager at Seven Summit Treks—the company that organized the expedition—confirmed the details.

Guragain said the team reached the summit at 2:15 PM after a 20-hour push that began from Camp IV the night before.

This season, around 70 international climbers are aiming to conquer Kangchenjunga, each accompanied by a Sherpa guide, Seven Summit Treks announced via social media.