A 28 yr old Japanese resident Nobukazu Kuriki is trying to ascent Mt. Everest alone without oxygen this autumn.
Kuriki said, “It’s been around 40 yrs since a Japanese has climbed Mt Everest.”
Kuriki has already ascended three mountains above 8,000 meters heights. They are Mt Cho Oyu in 2007, Mt Manaslu in 2008, and Mt Dhaulagiri in 2009. Among the 7 peaks, Kuriki has ascended 6 peaks.
Kuriki said, “Youngsters in Japan are more fascinated to technology than nature. Anyway, my effort to ascend Mt Everest will produce thrill among the youngsters to visit Nepal and ascend the Everest.”
Mr. Prachanda Man Shrestha, chief executive officer of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), passed him the flag of Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011 and a pass to ascend Mt Everest.
Mr. Shrestha said that number of Japanese visitors to Nepal was around 45,000 until some time ago while the number has recently fallen to 20,000 – 25,000. This effort to ascend Everest by a Japanese will certainly help boost Nepal and bring more Japanese visitors this year.
In accordance to NTB, the effort of Kuriki to ascend Everest will be recorded and shown by Tokyo Channel 12.
Mr. Laxman Bhattarai, joint-secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) said, “Kuriki will be charged half of the regular royalty as he is ascending the summit in autumn season. Autumn itself is a tough season and there are little number of reservations made for this season.”
Mr. Bhattarai also notified that the effort to ascend Everest in autumn season will also help boost the season for mountaineering.
