Kathmandu: A Japanese climber, who lost nine of his fingers to four earlier attempts at scaling Mt Everest will now make his fifth attempt this month. 33-year-old Nobokazu Kuriki will be the first to attempt the climb after the peak was closed due to Nepal’s deadly April earthquake, which had had triggered an avalanche on the mountain killing 18 climbers.

Japanese climber Nobokazu Kuriki (left) accepts his permit to climb Everest in the autumn season from Nepal’s tourism minister Kripasur Sherpa. He will be the first to attempt the climb since the mountain was closed after the April 25 quake. Pic/AFP