China's 1st all-women expedition to Mount Qomolangma kicks off

The group also wants to dispel the notion that adventure sports should be closed to certain groups. According to Wang Chu Han, Qomolangma does not care if you are a man or a woman.

"I grew up in Yunnan, surrounded by mountains, and I am confident about my capabilities," the 39-year-old climber and third member of the Chinese women expedition team, said.

Wang said that she decided to embark on this journey after she dreamt of dancing on the roof of the world one night.

Qomolangma remains the world's highest glass ceiling. Although more women want to conquer the summit every year, they still only represent one-seventh of the climbers who venture above Base Camp. According to Zheng Yu, 43, the fourth female member of the expedition, the highest barrier to the summit however, is not gender, but money.

"I have been saving money for this expedition since 2007 and I had to struggle along the way," she confided.

She added that her parents are unaware of her attempt of climbing Qomolangma.

"My dad came with me to the airport but I haven't told him the real reason behind my trip to Nepal since I do not want my parents to worry about me," Zheng Yu said, romantically adding that reaching the summit is less important than appreciating the journey.

On behalf of the Nepal government, Madhu Sudan Burlakoti, joint secretary of Nepal's Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, wished the all-women Chinese team good luck.

He said that at the opening of the spring climbing season last year, 329 permits for Qomolangma were issued but as of Tuesday, 334 permits have already been issued and more permits are expected to be issued in the coming days.

According to the secretary, the permits issued would generate more than 3.32 million U.S. dollars in the form of royalties for the landlocked Himalayan nation.