KATHMANDU: The Everest Summiteers Association (ESA) is all set to celebrate its silver jubilee in Kathmandu on August 23.

According to ESA’s general secretary, Shiva Bahadur Sapkota, preparations are almost complete to host a grand event to mark 25 years of the ESA's establishment, recognising the greater roles of mountaineers and concerned stakeholders.

“The event will be attended by senior government ministers, officials, renowned mountaineers, members of the mountaineering and tourism fraternity, as well as well-wishers,” Sapkota said.

By marking 25 years of the ESA’s journey, the organisers also plan to honour climbers and others who not only contributed to the ESA's growth but also helped promote Nepal’s mountaineering worldwide, according to Sapkota.

Maya Sherpa, ESA’s president, shared that by marking the silver jubilee through reflection on their shared journey, the achievements on Mt Everest could not be limited to individual success alone, but are a way of expressing commitment to the mountain community, environment, and culture of the Himalayas. “The ESA wants to explore its greater responsibility in protecting these mountains and their legacy for generations to come,” Sherpa added.

ESA’s first vice president, Diwas Pokhrel, said that the silver jubilee celebration is not merely an event but an embodiment of the shared values and commitments of ESA’s members. “The ESA has a greater role in streamlining mountaineering activities on Mt Everest and beyond,” he added.

Besides many remarkable achievements, the ESA has taken a significant initiative which forced the Government of Nepal to resume the distribution of climber identity cards and badges—a process that had been stalled for a long time until the government revived it two years ago. The ESA believes that this accomplishment has significantly strengthened the unique identity of its summiteers.

From supporting mountain climbers to mobilising liaison officers to Mt Everest for spring expeditions, the ESA has stood at the forefront of lobbying the government for the well-being of Everest summiteers since its establishment in 2001.