"I don't want to be a fortune-teller. The mountaineers are in progress but the final day to ascend has to be weighed after all the factors are considered," said Zhang when asked whether the day of ascent has been decided.

After two days of snowstorm, the weather conditions in the Himalayas look nice for the following two days. According to some mountaineers, climbers need only four or five days to reach the top of the world's tallest peak if everything is in place.

The torch has returned to the Chinese mainland at the beginning of May and is being relayed in Chinese cities.

The relay had been billed as the most ambitious of all time, with the highlight set to be an ascent of Mt. Qomolangma in May. When the special torch is relayed over the summit, the main relay will take a day off.

Beijing promised in its bidding reports seven years ago that the sacred flame of the Olympics would reach the world highest peak. It will be the first time for the Olympic torch relay to be held on the 8844.43-meter mountain.

May and September are the most popular months for expeditions on Mt. Qomolangma.