MYAGDI:- The spring climbing season on Mt Dhaulagiri has officially begun, with the first successful ascent recorded on Saturday.

Mt Dhaulagiri, located in Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality–4, stands at 8,167 metres and is the seventh-highest peak in the world.

According to expedition organiser Imagine Nepal, nine climbers—five Nepalis and four foreign nationals—successfully reached the summit at around 11:00 am on Saturday. All members of the team were part of an expedition organised through the same company.

The successful climbers include Liu Hong, Liu Yishi and Wang Zhong of China, Christine Vogondy of Switzerland, and Nepali climbers Fur Gyalgen Sherpa, Pasang Namgel Sherpa, Kili Pemba Sherpa, Ngima Nuru Sherpa and Pema Chirri Sherpa.

Team leader Fur Gyalgen Sherpa said all members have safely returned to Base Camp III after completing the ascent.

According to the Department of Tourism, a total of 28 climbers—12 women and 16 men in three separate groups—have obtained permits to climb Mt Dhaulagiri this spring season.

The department stated that the government has collected Rs 12.56 million in royalties from climbing permits.

Mt Dhaulagiri was first successfully summited on May 13, 1960, by Austrian climber Kurt Diemberger.