CRI听力:Stranded Nepalese Sherpas Return Home

The last group of Nepalese sherpas stranded on Mount Qomolangma, also known as Mount Everest, have returned to Nepal from Lahsa, China's Tibet.

The 124 sherpas were among 470 climbers who were stranded on the world's highest peak when the 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit Nepal just over two weeks ago.

Avalanches caused by the quake left 19 people dead.

The Nepalese sherpas were helping climbers on the north side of the mountain at the time. Chinese rescuers managed to help them to safety.

"I want to heartedly thank very much the Chinese government and the Himalaya expedition. Especially Mr Nyima Tsering, he is the founder of the Himalaya expedition. So I want to say thank you very much for save me, Chinese government, and China. Thank you very much."

The quake has forced Chinese authorities to shut down this year's climbing season on Qomolangma.

Deputy director of the Tibet Sports Bureau, Nyima Tsering, says the climbers who were stranded by the quake will be put at the top of the list if they want to try to make to the summit again.

"We have some favorable policies for them, both political and economic. In the next three years, these people will be given priority if they come to climb Mount Qomolangma again."

The cancellation of this year's climbing season is the second year in a row.

A deadly avalanche on the mountain last year left 16 Nepalese guides dead, which led to the sherpas cancelling the remainder of the climbing season.