1st foreign climbers scale Everest in 2 years

1st foreign climbers scale Everest in 2 years

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Officials say two British and a Mexican climber along with three Nepalese guides have scaled Mount Everest, the first foreigners to reach the summit in two years.

Ang Tshering of the Nepal Mountaineering Association says the six climbers reached the 8,850-meter (29,035-foot) peak early Thursday and are already heading to lower camps.

The British climbers are Kenton Cool and Robert Richard Lucas and the Mexican is David Liano Gonzalez.

A group of nine Nepalese guides fixing ropes for their foreign clients reached the summit on Wednesday.

Last year's season was canceled after an avalanche triggered by a powerful earthquake killed 19 climbers at base camp. In 2014, 16 Sherpa guides were killed by an avalanche above the base camp.

-- (c) Associated Press 2016-05-12