KATHMANDU (AFP) ― Nepal will open five more peaks above 8,000 meters for mountaineers to scale when the autumn climbing season begins, a tourism official said Tuesday, a move largely welcomed by local climbers.

The Himalayan nation currently allows climbers to scale eight mountains above 8,000 meters, including the world’s tallest peak, Mount Everest.

Nepal plans to open three peaks in the Kanchenjunga region and two from the Everest region.

Lhotse Middle, Lhotse Shar, Kanchenjunga South, Kanchenjunga Central and Kanchenjunga West ― all measuring above 8,400 meters ― will soon be open for expeditions, pending approval from the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA).

Purna Chandra Bhattarai, a senior official at the tourism ministry, said the Switzerland-based organization, which represents climbers and mountaineers from around the world, would likely make a decision at its annual meeting in early October.