Annapurna, as every year, opens the Himalayan climbing season. The first expeditions arrive at base camp.
The first international expeditions have already arrived at Annapurna Base Camp, marking the start of the 2026 Himalayan climbing season. Teams from various countries have begun setting up camps and organizing logistics on the mountain.
According to initial reports, conditions at this early stage are favorable, allowing progress to be made with acclimatization and route planning. As is typical, activity on Annapurna foreshadows the season’s progress on other eight-thousanders, with the focus on Mount Everest in May.
Today, the Seven Summits Treks team arrived at base camp, including Stefi Troguet from Andorra, who is aiming for her fourth eight-thousander.
Why does Annapurna open the season in the Himalayas?
Every year, the first spring expeditions in the Himalayas begin on Annapurna, and this is no coincidence. This mountain typically marks the start of the season due to a combination of climatic and strategic factors.
Located further south than other eight-thousanders, Annapurna experiences the stabilization of the weather earlier after winter. The strong jet streams begin to weaken first in this region, generating the first windows of good weather between late March and early April. This allows expeditions to establish themselves and begin their ascent earlier than on mountains like Mount Everest.
Furthermore, many agencies use Annapurna as a starting point to fine-tune logistics, equipment, and acclimatization processes before the main season on Everest, which is usually concentrated in May.
Another key factor is snow: although Annapurna is one of the most dangerous mountains in the world due to its high avalanche risk, at the beginning of spring the snowpack is usually more stable. As the season progresses and temperatures rise, the risk increases significantly.
For all these reasons, Annapurna is not only one of the first mountains to become active, but also a true indicator of what the season will be like in the Himalayas.
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