Three European climbers have made peace with a group of Nepalese guides working on Mount Everest after a high-altitude brawl.
Ueli Steck of Switzerland and Simone Moro of Italy, who has climbed the world's highest peak four times, had a bust-up with the guides near the summit of the world's highest mountain on Saturday.
An American eyewitness told AFP that Steck, Moro and British photographer Jonathan Griffith were asked to wait on the mountain while the Nepalese rigged up some ropes.
The witness said the Europeans, who were trying to climb the mountain by a new "undisclosed" route without supplementary oxygen, ignored the request and carried on.
"The Sherpas told the team not to climb above them while they were fixing the ropes, but they did it anyway. Then some ice fell and hit the Sherpas, which made them angry," said the eyewitness.
Later, a group of Nepalese stormed up to the climbers' tents and pelted them with stones until the men came outside, after which a loud argument ensued and punches were thrown.
"It was terrifying to watch - they nearly got killed," the eyewitness said.
In a statement on his website, Moro said he had been attacked by an "out-of-control mob".
"They .... not only punched and kicked the climbers, but threw many rocks as well," said the statement, which indicated the clash took place at Camp Two at an altitude of 6500 metres.
Police investigated the incident and mediation meetings between the climbers and the Sherpas took place on Monday.
"Both parties apologised to each other and ended the meeting amicably," Surendra Sapkota, an official at the tourism ministry told AFP.
"The three men have decided to resume their ascent," he said.
