Kathmandu. May, 26 : The third edition of the “Tenzing Norgay Sherpa Open Lead Climbing Competition” will be held in Kathmandu on May 28 and 29, bringing together Nepali and foreign climbers in one of Nepal’s prominent adventure sports events.
The competition is being jointly organized by the Nepal National Mountain Guide Association and the US Nepal Climbers Association (USNCA). Organizers said the event aims to promote adventure climbing in Nepal while honoring the legacy of legendary mountaineers Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary.
Applications for participation will remain open until May 26. Forms are available at Astrek Climbing Wall in Thamel and the Nepal National Mountain Guide Association office in Gairidhara. Both Nepali and foreign climbers are eligible to participate.
Separate competitions will be held in the men’s and women’s categories. Winners in both categories will receive cash prizes of Rs 50,000, Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000 for first, second and third place respectively.
According to Nepal National Mountain Guide Association President Tulsing Gurung, the opening ceremony on May 28 will begin at 9 am with Nepal Mountaineering Association President Phur Gelje Sherpa attending as chief guest. Member of the House of Representatives Mingma Gyabu Sherpa will attend the final event on May 29.
So far, 22 male and 10 female climbers have registered for the competition, while organizers expect participation from around 40 men and 15 women.
“This year’s competition is special because climbers will compete in the lead climbing category for the first time,” Gurung said, adding that the previous two editions were limited to top-rope climbing.
The competition is organized in memory of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and commemorates the historic first successful ascent of Mt Everest by Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary on May 29, 1953.
Organizers said holding the event on May 29 adds special significance, as technical adventure sports events are rarely conducted on the historic Everest anniversary.
They expressed confidence that the competition would contribute to the development of Nepal’s climbing sector, promote adventure sports culture and inspire younger generations toward mountaineering and technical climbing.
