KATHMANDU: A joint team of expedition operators has been making steady progress in fixing the summit route on Mt Everest as they plan to stand atop the roof of the world on May 13, said expedition officials.

“At least 21 Sherpa climbers from the Expedition Operators Association Nepal and other expedition agencies are now busy fixing the route on Mt Everest,” Chhang Dawa Sherpa, Expedition Director at Seven Summit Treks, said.

A nine-member team of Sherpas from Imagine Nepal, Elite Exped and Seven Summit Treks is now continuing to fix ropes towards the Balcony section at approximately 8,400 meters from the South Col, Chhang Dawa added.

According to him, the first fixing team, which includes SST guides Dendi Sherpa (Tungna Mingma), Mingtemba Sherpa (Motay), Mingma Nurbu Sherpa, along with four Sherpa guides from Imagine Nepal and two Sherpa guides from Elite Exped, reached the South Col this morning around 7:00 a.m.

Currently at Camp 4, Imagine Nepal’s two Sherpas and SST’s two Sherpas, including Ming Dorchi Sherpa (fixing team leader) and Pasang Nurbu Sherpa from EOAN’s joint team, are already in position and plan to push for the summit tonight. They are now busy fixing a tent at Camp 4, he added.

“The rest of the fixing team members from EOAN’s 10-member joint team are expected to reach the South Col this evening, as eight of them are heading towards Camp 4 placing double ropes on the Yellow Band section. They will also join the combined summit push,” Chhang Dawa said.