KATHMANDU: Expedition operators said today that climbing activities on Mt Dhaulagiri had resumed after weather conditions improved following torrential rain and heavy snowfall that hit the mountain region a few days ago.

“Today, our Dhaulagiri team returned to the mountain from Kathmandu as weather conditions have gradually improved,” Chhang Dawa Sherpa, expedition director at Seven Summit Treks, said.

This season, Dhaulagiri will host renowned climbers, including Polish ski mountaineer Andrzej Bargiel, who is preparing to attempt a ski descent from the summit without using supplementary oxygen.

Ukrainian billionaire couple Igor Kushnir and Oksana Kushnir, as well as record-holding French mountaineer Alasdair McKenzie, will also be attempting to climb the world’s seventh-highest mountain, at 8,167 metres.

Before expedition activities were paused, climbing teams had reached only Camp II while fixing ropes and conducting acclimatisation rotations. Dhaulagiri Base Camp and the high camps were covered by heavy snowfall last week.

According to the Department of Tourism (DoT), four teams comprising 34 foreign climbers have already obtained permits to climb Dhaulagiri this autumn. More climbers might join the Dhaulagiri expedition as Mt Manaslu is almost closed for climbing this season, DoT officials said.