Nepal is poised to close out what may be its busiest and most successful Mount Everest climbing season on record, officials announced as the climbing window nears its end. More than 950 climbers have reached the summit of the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) peak this spring, with numbers expected to exceed 1,000 by Thursday, according to Khim Lal Gautam, a Nepali government official overseeing expeditions at base camp.

Gautam, a mountaineer assigned by Nepal's tourism ministry, described the season as "truly historic," noting the number of expeditions has surpassed previous years. This surge comes despite an initial delay caused by a serac—an unstable block of glacial ice—that blocked the traditional route. Nepali climbers responded by establishing an alternative path, allowing the season to recover momentum.

The southern route from Nepal was the only viable ascent this year after China closed its northern Tibetan route. Nepal issued a record 494 permits to foreign climbers, contributing to an influx of mountaineers supported by a large tent city at the mountain’s base camp. The wide summit window of stable weather conditions also played a crucial role in enabling safe and successful climbs.

Last Thursday marked a particularly busy day, with an estimated 275 climbers reaching the peak, setting a record for the highest number of summits on the southern side in a single day. The season is expected to conclude within a few days, with final tallies to be confirmed following verification through photographic evidence and statements from climbing companies and guides.

The death toll for this season stands at five—two Indian climbers and three Nepali climbers involved in logistical preparations—significantly lower than the 18 fatalities recorded in 2023, which was the deadliest season on the mountain in recent history.

British mountaineer Kenton Cool, who recently reached his 20th Everest summit—setting a record for most ascents by a non-Nepali—highlighted the collaborative efforts that contributed to this successful season. “Despite the delay caused by the serac, teams came together to open the route, and we still had a pretty good season,” Cool said. “I think that should be celebrated.”

As the season wraps up, officials continue to process summit verifications, but the 2024 Everest climbing season is already being hailed as a landmark year in terms of both participation and overall success.