PEAK RACE

Climbers rush for Qomolangma permits before fees go up

Editor's note: In this weekly feature China Daily gives voice to Asia and its people. The stories presented come mainly from the Asia News Network (ANN), of which China Daily is among its 20 leading titles.

The number of climbing permits for Qomolangma, or Mount Everest in the West, have already surpassed 120 in the first week of April — twice as fast as last year — indicating the potential for another record-breaking season on the world's tallest peak.

This will be the last spring climbing season under the existing regulations.