Ever since a 7.3 magnitude earthquake shook the world’s tallest mountain, climbing has been forbidden on Everest. However that is about to change as a Japanese alpinist by the name of Nobukazu Kuriki was awarded a permit by Nepal’s tourism minister, Kripasur Sherpa on Sunday during a ceremony in Kathmandu reports the Huffington Post.
Approximately 9,000 people died during the earthquakes that shook Nepal and over 23,000 people were injured.
Since the disastrous tremors hit Nepal in the spring, the Nepalese economy suffered from a lack tourism dollars, which normally come from tourists trekking and exploring the Himalaya’s highest peaks.
“The main purpose of my climb is to spread the message that Nepal was safe for climbers and trekkers even after the earthquake.”– Nobukazu Kuriki
Kuriki, who has attempted Everest four times prior, will attempt to summit during mid September, which is typically one of the hardest times to ascend the peak due to shifting weather patterns. He has previously attempted to summit Everest four times. During his last attempt in 2012, he lost 9 fingers to frost bite.
As of now, it’s unclear as to which route Kuriki will take on his ascent of the peak. The traditional route was dramatically altered by the quake and a new route has yet to be finalized.