Dhaulagiri Climbing Day Celebrated

Kaski. 'Dhaulagiri Climbing Day' is being celebrated on the occasion of the day humans first set foot on Dhaulagiri Himal, which ranks seventh among the 14 eight-thousand-meter high peaks in the world. This Wednesday, Baisakh 30, marks 66 years since humans first set foot on Dhaulagiri Himal.< p>

On May 13, 1960, seven climbers including two Nepalis, led by Max Igelin of the Swiss-Austrian joint expedition team, successfully climbed Dhaulagiri Himal. Dhaulagiri Climbing Day is celebrated every year on May 13 in memory of that day.< p>

Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) Gandaki has stated that preparations are underway to celebrate this day with various programs this year as well. Last year, the day was celebrated in Pokhara with an interaction on 'Dhaulagiri Trekking, Problems, Challenges and Solutions', while this year the day will be celebrated in Mudhi village of Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality-4 in Myagdi, at the foot of Dhaulagiri Himal, said TAAN Gandaki Chairman Krishnaprasad Acharya.< p>

"We are simultaneously organizing the 66th Dhaulagiri Climbing Day and programs to promote the tourist destinations and trekking routes of Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality," he said, adding, "Climbers who have scaled Dhaulagiri Himal will be honored at the official ceremony of the day."< p>

Acharya informed that the day is being celebrated under the organization of TAAN Gandaki, promotion by the Ministry of Industry and Tourism of Gandaki Province and Nepal Tourism Board, and coordination with Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality. Gandaki Province Minister of Industry and Tourism Yashoda Rimal is scheduled to attend the program as the chief guest.< p>

Nima Dorji Sherpa and Ngawang Dorji Sherpa from Nepal were part of the first expedition team to climb Dhaulagiri Himal, which is 8,167 meters high. TAAN Gandaki Chairman Acharya said that the first ascent of Dhaulagiri Himal is remembered as an important day in the history of mountaineering in Nepal.< p>

He stated that the Dhaulagiri region can be developed as an attractive destination for trekking tourism worldwide along with mountaineering. Despite having ample potential for tourism, the Dhaulagiri region lags behind due to lack of tourism infrastructure and promotion.< p>

While the world-famous Annapurna Circuit Trek is diminishing and shortening, tourism sector leaders believe that the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek can be its alternative. Dhaulagiri Himal is a point of attraction for adventurous mountaineers.< p>

According to climbers, the climbing experience here is different from other mountains in Nepal. Due to the terrain and climate, climbing Dhaulagiri Himal is considered risky. TAAN Gandaki Chairman Acharya said that various programs are being organized to promote tourism on the climbing days of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Manaslu, the eight-thousand-meter peaks in Gandaki Province.< p>

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