May 22: Around 500 people have successfully climbed the highest mountain of the world, Mount Everest as of Monday.

The Department of Tourism confirmed that five hundred mountaineers and guides have scaled Mt Everest during this year’s spring climbing season which started on May 13 after the icefall doctors fixed the ropes to the top of Everest.

“Until today around 500 people, including Sherpas guides have climbed Mount Everest,” said a source at the department. A total of 478 mountaineers had obtained an expedition permit to climb Mount Everest in the spring season.

Director General of the Department Hom Prasad Luintel said that the weather has remained favorable, and the expedition of the different mountains including Everest has been encouraging so far.

The 478 permits issued is the highest number of permits issued for climbing Everest till date. They include 103 women and 376 men from 47 mountaineering teams, added the department.

Ten people, including six foreigners and four Sherpas, have already died while climbing Everest this season.

According to AFP, an average of five people die while attempting to climb Everest every year.