Kathmandu, May 12: Spring mountaineering expeditions, including climbs of Mount Everest and Kanchanjanga, have been severely disrupted due to adverse weather conditions, particularly high-speed winds, according to Nepal’s Department of Tourism.

Department Director Himal Gautam confirmed that Everest could not be climbed today, and the May 15 summit plan has been officially cancelled. The May 14 plan is also likely to be scrapped, he added, citing persistent poor weather.

Currently, many climbers have retreated to safety, awaiting favorable weather in Camp II and Camp III. Those who had reached Camp IV are expected to descend to the base camp by today and tomorrow, said Pasang Bhote, the department’s field representative stationed at Everest Base Camp.

The department forecasts that Everest climbing could resume from May 18, depending on weather improvements. The main summit window, originally expected between May 11 to May 17, has been affected by snow and wind in the Everest region.

So far, only four climbing groups, including the rope-fixing team, have successfully reached the summit. Notable summiteers include:

• Dawa Phunjo Sherpa and Phursang Sherpa
• British climber Mitchell Leonard Dakrele
• Gyalje Sherpa, Furi Sherpa, and Ang Pemba Sherpa
• Patricio Erevalo of Ecuador
• Dawa Phunjo Sherpa, who also summited Lhotse on May 11

Meanwhile, Makalu has seen successful climbs this year by five Nepali, three Chinese, and one Kyrgyz climber.

The spring expedition season began with a seven-member Sherpa team from ATK Expedition Company opening the Everest climbing route at 5 p.m. on May 10.

This season, 1,127 climbers (240 women and 887 men) from 119 teams have received permits to climb 26 peaks, including Everest, which has 456 climbers (84 women, 372 men) from 45 groups registered.