Bahrain Prince Achieves First Himalayan Summit This Year

Nepal Government Closed the Himalayas Due to COVID-19, Reopened

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] A climbing team including a Bahraini prince has succeeded in the first ascent of the Nepal Himalayas this year, which were temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and have since reopened.

According to AFP on the 5th, the Bahraini prince climbing team reached the summit of Lobuche Peak (6,119m) in the Himalayas the day before.

The team consisted of 18 members, including Bahraini Prince Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, royal bodyguards, and three British nationals, accompanied by about 50 Sherpa guides who assist with Himalayan climbing.

However, AFP reported that it has not been confirmed whether all 18 team members reached the summit.

They plan to challenge Manaslu Peak (8,163m), the eighth highest mountain in the world, following the summit of Lobuche Peak, and aim to climb the world's highest peak, Everest (8,848m), next year.

The Bahraini expedition arrived in Nepal in mid-last month and began the ascent after completing the COVID-19 quarantine period.

Meanwhile, the Nepal government issued a ban on mountain climbing in late March to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but has been granting climbing permits for Everest and other peaks since last month, six months later.

However, foreign tourists are still prohibited from entering the country, and the Bahraini expedition's mountain climbing was exceptionally permitted.

Local media reported that this measure was taken considering that 40,000 Nepalese workers are employed in Bahrain and that the Bahraini royal family provided food support to Nepalese Sherpas during the COVID-19 lockdown period.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.