SOLUKHUMBU, May 21: Out of the 346 climbers of 38 expedition teams who obtained permit to scale Mt Everest this season, 200 have successfully climbed the world's highest peak so far, according to officials. Meanwhile, AFP reported that a Macedonian climber died above camp 3 while making a final push for the summit.

According to the international news agency, the 62-year-old collapsed above camp 3 at 7,200 meters.

"Our team at the base camp confirms his death," AFP quoted Iswari Poudel of Himalayan Guides Nepal as saying.

While a few climbers are still in the base camp, most of them have already started their journey toward higher camps.

Climbers switch between the four camps for acclimatization before their final push toward the summit.

The climbers of Lhotse, Nuptse and Everest use the same base camp.

Kapindra Rai, program officer of Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) confirmed that around 200 climbers have already scaled Everest this season with the climbing season coming to an end.

Similarly, ten groups of 107 climbers are attempting to climb Lhotse. Likewise, 40 people divided in three groups will be scaling Nuptse.

Last year, 56 groups had received permit for climbing Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse. Out of them, 42 groups were for climbing Everest, 12 for Lhotse while three groups were for climbing Nuptse. Before climbing big mountains, climbers first attempt to scale small peaks. That gives them idea about the altitude and temperature and will help them climb Everest.

Climbers are making their final push toward the peak as the weather starts deteriorating from June, said liaision offier Gyanendra Shrestha. May is considered as the most suitable month for climbing Everest.

Caption: Climbers heading toward Everest from the base camp.

 
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