Kathmandu : A team of seven mountaineers, including Alasdair McKenzie of France, received a warm welcome upon return to Kathmandu following achieving a record-summit of Cho Oyu via the difficult Nepal side.

They were greeted at the Tribhuvan International Airport before being formally honoured at the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) by dignitaries, including Rudra Prasad Pandit, Director General of the Department of Tourism and Director Rakesh Gurung, Thakur Raj Pandey, Senior Vice President of the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), Ram Prasad Sapkota, and Vice President of the NTB.

On the occasion, the triumphant team members were presented with khada (ceremonial shawls), and Nepali topis (caps) and certificates.

McKenzie, partnering in his climb with Gelje, Tenging Gyaljen and other Sherpas, recently conquered the world’s sixth-highest mountain at a height of 8,188 meters above sea level via a new S-SW Ridge (SST-Nepal Route), the first ever climb from this route since 2009.

The face of the mountain from the Nepal side had not witnessed a successful climb since 2009 (by Denis Urubko and Boris Dedeshko – Route: South Face), despite numerous attempts.

The expedition was organised by Seven Summit Treks, a leading Nepal-based expedition operator.

“Our incredible team of six Sherpas for being the first to summit Cho Oyu via a new route from the Nepal side. This climb is a cornerstone in the mountaineering sector to explore and climb Cho Oyu from Nepal side,” said SST through social media.

The summiteers include:

1. Alasdair McKenzie (France) (Expedition Leader) I – Completed his 13th 8000er.

2. Gelje Sherpa (Nepal)

3. Chhangba Sherpa (Nepal)

4. Tenging Gyaljen Sherpa (Nepal)

5. Lakpa Temba Sherpa (Nepal)

6. Lakpa Tenji Sherpa (Nepal)

7. Ngima Ongda Sherpa (Nepal)

SST also expressed gratitude to the DoT, the NMA and the NTB, and all stakeholders involved, including the Sherpa community, for this recognition and support.