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Kathmandu, Nepal: Everest Day was marked today with a series of programmes across the country, celebrating the historic first ascent of the world’s highest peak and honouring the legacy of those who made it possible.
The day commemorates May 29, 1953, when New Zealand mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary and Nepal’s Tenzing Norgay Sherpa reached the summit of Mount Everest for the first time—an achievement that continues to inspire generations.
More than just the world’s tallest mountain, Everest has become a powerful symbol of Nepal’s identity, pride, and global recognition. It has also played a central role in shaping the country’s tourism industry. According to the Department of Tourism, over 8,000 climbers have successfully summited Everest so far, while Nepal is home to eight of the world’s 14 highest peaks.
The mountain’s officially recognised height stands at 8,848.86 metres, following a joint measurement by Nepal and China in 2021.
To mark the occasion, government bodies, tourism stakeholders, mountaineering organisations, and local communities organised events highlighting safe climbing practices, responsible tourism, and the importance of protecting fragile mountain ecosystems.
Speakers at the programmes stressed that the Himalayas are increasingly under threat from climate change. Rapid glacier melt, rising risks of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and other environmental challenges are becoming serious concerns that demand immediate attention.
Despite these challenges, mountain tourism continues to be a backbone of Nepal’s economy, supporting thousands of livelihoods and contributing significantly to foreign exchange earnings. Every year, climbers and trekkers from around the world are drawn to Nepal, with Everest remaining the country’s most iconic attraction.
On the occasion, the Nepal Mountaineering Association called for stronger collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure cleaner mountains, safer expeditions, and sustainable tourism practices that also safeguard the lives and livelihoods of local communities.
The day commemorates May 29, 1953, when New Zealand mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary and Nepal’s Tenzing Norgay Sherpa reached the summit of Mount Everest for the first time—an achievement that continues to inspire generations.
More than just the world’s tallest mountain, Everest has become a powerful symbol of Nepal’s identity, pride, and global recognition. It has also played a central role in shaping the country’s tourism industry. According to the Department of Tourism, over 8,000 climbers have successfully summited Everest so far, while Nepal is home to eight of the world’s 14 highest peaks.
The mountain’s officially recognised height stands at 8,848.86 metres, following a joint measurement by Nepal and China in 2021.
To mark the occasion, government bodies, tourism stakeholders, mountaineering organisations, and local communities organised events highlighting safe climbing practices, responsible tourism, and the importance of protecting fragile mountain ecosystems.
Speakers at the programmes stressed that the Himalayas are increasingly under threat from climate change. Rapid glacier melt, rising risks of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and other environmental challenges are becoming serious concerns that demand immediate attention.
Despite these challenges, mountain tourism continues to be a backbone of Nepal’s economy, supporting thousands of livelihoods and contributing significantly to foreign exchange earnings. Every year, climbers and trekkers from around the world are drawn to Nepal, with Everest remaining the country’s most iconic attraction.
On the occasion, the Nepal Mountaineering Association called for stronger collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure cleaner mountains, safer expeditions, and sustainable tourism practices that also safeguard the lives and livelihoods of local communities.
