KATHMANDU: A four-member Russian expedition has received permission to climb Mount Everest during the autumn 2026 season, with the team planning to attempt a route other than the standard Everest route.

The Department of Tourism issued mountaineering permit No 73 for the expedition, titled HG. Everest Expedition Autumn 2026, on September 30. The team is led by Andrey Vasilyev, a recipient of the Golden Ice Axe, and includes Natalya Belyankina, Sergey Kondrashkin and Vitaly Shipilov.

The expedition has been granted a 75-day permit to climb Everest (8,848.86 metres). The permit lists the climbing route as Everest Other Route, while the approach route is Lukla-Namche-Khumjung-Dingboche-Lobuche-Base Camp.

Himalayan Guides Nepal Treks and Expedition Pvt Ltd is handling the expedition in Nepal. The team is scheduled to depart Kathmandu for the mountain on September 30.

“They have obtained the permit for the autumn Everest expedition and our company is handling the expedition in Nepal,” said Iswari Paudel, managing director of Himalayan Guides Nepal.

Vasilyev and his teammates are experienced high-altitude climbers. The team previously worked on a new route on Manaslu and has made attempts on Cho Oyu's south face. The autumn Everest expedition is expected to provide an opportunity to assess equipment and the proposed route ahead of a more extensive attempt next spring.

The team reportedly intends to climb without supplemental oxygen, according to earlier expedition plans.

Autumn Everest expeditions are relatively limited compared with the busy spring climbing season. The team will approach Everest through the Khumbu region before reaching base camp.