KATHMANDU: The world’s highest mountain will see the season’s first summit on May 13 if everything goes according to plan, Everest Base Camp officials said.

According to liaison officer Gyanendra Shrestha, also a member of the field office at Everest Base Camp (EBC), the joint rope-fixing team from the Expedition Operators Association Nepal (EOAN) will open the summit route on May 13, as the weather forecast appears favourable for the summit push. As per Shrestha, EOAN joint team will supply necessary ropes to Camp IV from Camp II tonight for fixing route to summit on May 13.

The EOAN team has already opened the route to Camp IV, and expedition operators are now busy supplying tents and loads there to prepare their clients for the summit push from the South Col.

“A few climbers are also planning a summit push on May 13 alongside the route-fixing team,” Shrestha shared.

Mingma G, Managing Director of Imagine Nepal Treks, said his team also plans to open the summit route on May 13 on its own.

“If the weather favours us, we will fix the Everest summit route on May 13. We are capable of doing that, and we will receive support on summit day because we have a backup plan and supporters in place, which we will announce on the summit day while thanking them,” Mingma G added.

According to Mingma G, Everest 2026 has become a roller-coaster ride for his team.

“The route through the icefall was delayed, and we provided a solution. The Icefall Doctors almost stopped responding to my team along the way, and many complained that we took too much risk and put everyone in danger. That said, most Sherpas and climbers are now happy with the route. Still, please be very careful in those dangerous sections,” he added.

This year, the Nepal government issued a record 492 climbing permits for Everest.

“I am surprised and hope our government becomes more responsible. But someone has to take responsibility, and we are taking that responsibility to ensure there isn’t too much traffic and that our foreign climbers can enjoy more flexible summit dates,” Mingma G said.