Chinese mountaineers on a mission to carry the Olympic flame over Mt. Qomolangma might have to postpone their climbing due to heavy snow, a weather service official said Saturday.

The torch relay, ahead of the Games which start in Beijing on Aug. 8, will include a climb to the top of the world's highest mountain, which spans Nepal and the Chinese region of Tibet.

"The trail might get slippery with snow. If it keeps snowing, the thick cover of snow will make the climb difficult," said Zhang Zhigang, an official with the Qomolangma weather service.

Beijing promised in its bidding reports seven years ago that the sacred fire of the Olympics will reach the 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.

(Xinhua News Agency May 4, 2008)