The Olympic torch moved to within striking distance of the summit of Mount Everest yesterday, with the flame likely to reach the top of the world's tallest mountain in the next several days.

A spokesman for the climbing team said a base camp at 7,790 meters (25,560 feet) had been rebuilt after heavy snowfall last weekend destroyed several base camps and delayed the assault on the 8,850-meter (29,035-foot) peak.

Beijing Olympic organisers are hoping the dramatic image of the torch reaching the highest spot on earth will make up for damaging publicity during protest-ridden stages of international legs of the relay.

The flame waiting to ascend Everest is separate from the main Olympic torch, which yesterday toured the southern city of Guangzhou, the heart of Chinese manufacturing. Cheering crowds lined Guangzhou's streets without reports of disruptions. The flame ended its 10-hour journey at a sports stadium in the city's financial district.

The main flame will cross every region and province of China, returning to Beijing on August 6, two days ahead of the opening ceremony for the games.

After a difficult weekend in the Himalayas, calm, sunny weather the last three days has lightened the mood surrounding the historic ascent, which is being conducted under heavy security in both Nepal and China on guard against pro-Tibet activists.

"The snowfall several days ago had some impact upon the ascent, now our climbers are busy fixing the damaged facilities," Zhang Zhijian, a spokesman for the climbing team, told Xinhua. "Yesterday, I heard that they have fixed the 7,790-meter-high camp, but I'm not sure whether or when they will take further action."

"If the weather looks good all the time these days, I think I will bring you good news as soon as possible."

A 36-member team was announced Tuesday to take the torch to the summit, composed of 24 Tibetans and three women led by Chinese alpinist Wang Yongfeng.