Climbers scale Everest after ban

Spring is said to be the best time to climb Mount Everest

Climbers have scaled Mount Everest for the first time since Nepal lifted a temporary ban on reaching the summit during the Olympic torch relay.

Tourism officials say 18 climbers, nine of them foreigners, reached Everest's summit from the southern approach.

Nepal blocked access to the summit to prevent anti-Chinese protests but ended restrictions after Chinese climbers carried the torch to the top on 8 May.

Weather conditions make spring the best time to climb the world's highest peak.

Officials expect many more climbers to reach the summit in the coming days.