Fourteen climbers, including members of serving soldiers from across the Brigade of Gurkhas and high-altitude mountain guides reached to the top of Mt Everest on Monday, becoming the first to scale the world's tallest peak this year.

“The names of the climbers are yet to be confirmed,” said Gyanendra Shrestha, an official of the Tourism Ministry.

The feat marks the first time that a serving Gurkha has reached the summit.

On May 10, seven so-called Icefall Doctors, a dedicated team of local climbers who prepare the route by fixing ropes, had made an attempt for the final push to the top. However, they were forced to return due to high winds and heavy snowfall above what is called the ‘balcony’ (8,400 metres).

The high-altitude Nepali mountain workers had then scheduled May 17 deadline for summit push. Last year, nine high-altitude Nepali mountain workers had reached the top of Everest on May 11, making the first summit of that year.

The Kathmandu post