KATHMANDU: Seven Summit Treks has officially called off its autumn expedition on Mt Dhaulagiri after strong winds and extremely low temperatures made conditions on the upper slopes unsafe for its rope-fixing team.

In a statement, company director Chhang Dawa Sherpa said the decision followed several days of strong winds and snow showers, despite a brief period when forecasts suggested conditions might allow a summit push. Climbers were prepared to move higher, and the rope-fixing team had begun working towards the upper mountain, but conditions proved more severe than expected.

The team reported that continuing had become unsafe, prompting the company to abandon the expedition. Experienced guides Lakpa Sherpa, also known as Makalu Lakpa, and Mingtemba Sherpa assessed the conditions on the mountain, and their judgement informed the decision.

Seven Summit Treks said it follows a principle known as the “Guide’s Decision”, under which guides working on the mountain have the authority to stop a climb when they consider conditions unsafe. The company said it fully supports their judgement, adding that decisions should be guided by the people directly exposed to mountain conditions rather than pressure to reach the summit.

The company clarified that its rope-fixing work on Dhaulagiri was undertaken voluntarily for its own teams as part of its responsibility to the climbers who had entrusted their expeditions to it. Its decision applies to its own climbers and should not be interpreted as a directive for other teams, which remain free to assess conditions and decide whether to continue.

The expedition had begun with high hopes, with teams reaching Dhaulagiri Base Camp in good condition and the initial phase progressing well. However, a deep tropical depression over the Indian Ocean brought heavy snowfall across the mountains, followed by persistent unsettled weather. The same weather system had earlier forced the company to call off its Manaslu operations.

Chhang Dawa said the company had used available forecasts, equipment and experience to assess the situation, but conditions at altitude remained unpredictable. He acknowledged the disappointment of climbers who could not reach the summit and thanked expedition members, guides and staff for their professionalism.

“Safety will always come first,” Chhang Dawa said, reaffirming the company’s priority of protecting the lives of climbers and support staff.

Dhaulagiri, at 8,167 metres, is the world's seventh-highest mountain. The decision comes amid a difficult autumn climbing season, with high winds, snowfall and unstable conditions disrupting summit plans on several Himalayan peaks.