Nims dai definitely caught the world’s attention with his, once in a lifetime, attempt of climbing 14 Mountains which stands tall at 8000M+ in 7 months, ( but he did it in 6 months and 6 days ). Yes, not a big deal for Nims dai, he could just chill for the remaining 24 days or could have just taken a nap in the high altitude in his shorts (Jokes). To my imagination, only Nims dai can do that :D. We CONGRATULATE him on this bold historical success.
I did have the honour to meet him during his early days when he was just starting to pitch around the community and raise funds, which at that time seemed impossible. But with his sheer determination and focus he has pulled it all off, and now it’s in the history as one of the greatest mountaineering events, and not to mention the world records.
If Nepalese deserves an Olympic standard honour, then Mountaineering sport is the category they dominate. Nims dai has rightly so, put the name of great Nepalese adventurers right back on the map. Nepalese athletes, especially in mountain climbing, don’t get their fair share of recognition and praise. Getting a sponsorship as an athlete is a distant dream to them, but rightly so some female athletes are now recruited by The North face. Kudos to TNF. However, in this article, I wanted to make sure we can shed some light to these outstanding individuals and present some of the great Nepalese athletes to all our readers. Hold your breath tight, as some of these achievements, which you may have never heard may seem out of this planet’s achievements but these are the records of the brave Nepalese.
Tenzing Norgay Sherpa - Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary were the first 2 individuals to summit Everest, the highest point on Earth, inspiring the generation of mountaineers to come and the rest is history.
Nims Purja MBE: AKA Nims Dai - What can I say about Nims dai? He has shifted the human perception of what’s possible. What’s remarkable is he started Mountain climbing in his early 30’s and then at 35, he embarked on the world’s great adventure and inspired many. I believe Nims dai is bringing out a movie around Janaury 2020, so that is something to watch out for.
Kami Rita Sherpa - Still going strong and guiding clients to Everest. He holds the world’s most Everest Summit at 24X and he may yet continue breaking his own world records. 24 times to Everest is a no joke and he is the only one standing on this planet with that record.
Apa Sherpa - Apa Sherpa stands at 21X Everest summit. Apa thought 21 was a lucky number and decided to hang up his boots for mountaineering. He has his Apa Sherpa foundation funding schools in Khumbu region.
Babu Gauchan (First person to Paraglide from Everest) - Babu is another Nepalese that came out of no where. Ever smiling and honest, Babu never climbed any mountains prior to this bold feat. He just decided he wants to Paraglide from Everest and head to the Ganges in one single adventure. Yes, that’s why he is a bad ass and he did all this without any sponsorship, just a deal with a fellow mountaineer Lakpa Tsheri Sherpa, where Lakpa takes him to summit of Everest and Babu glides him down from Everest and together they kayak to the Indian ocean. I mean who does that, this is madness and bravery at adventure every level only Nepalese dares. Babu did it all for the sake of adventurers. Babu and Lakpa were awarded People’s choice adventurers of the year (2012).
Let’s not forget the Female Adventurers
Pasang Lhamu Sherpa: Late Pasang Lhamu Sherpa was the first-ever Nepalese woman to summit Mt. Everest and she is a national icon for all the Nepalese. She paved the way and inspired many female adventurers globally and nationally.
Lhakpa Sherpa - What’s so astonishing story about Lhakpa's story is being the female athlete with most summit Everest ( 9 times ) She works as a dishwasher in Connecticut. No sponsors, trainers or any brand deals of any sort. I mean common has the adventure community totally missed out on her. This is why I say Nepalese are very underrepresented and it seems like Female athletes are left behind even further. The Northface, Mountain Hardwear, Arc'tyrex or any adventure brands here is an opportunity.
Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Akita - Pasang is one of the first Nepalese women to Summit K2, Everest and Amadablam. She is an inspiring figure and a humble mum. I met her on Everest trek trails and she was carrying her son all the way to Everest base camp and he was totally loving it. Guess we know already who the next generation of Nepalese mountaineer is!?
Dawa Yangzum Sherpa - Dawa is one of the first Nepalese athlete to represent from The North face. Kudos to North face, again. And she is one of the three Nepalese ladies team, to Summit K2. Dawa has further gained her recognition by being the first Nepalese female to summit Makalu and Cheki Go. One inspiring female adventurer to watch out. She now guides clients in mountains as well as take on several mountaineering projects.
Mira Rai - What makes Mira Rai’s story so powerful is the background she came from. At age 14 she joined Maoist insurgency and later when the insurgency ended only after coming out from that did her career into Ultra running take off. Now an inspiring figure in Nepal, Mira inspires the world of runners globally. She is actively participating in Ultrarunning events around the world.
What’s more is 46 more Nepalese have summited Mount Everest from 5 - 20 times. One can argue that Nepalese has to work hence they have to summit but if we look solely from the feat of climbing Everest then there is no argument that Nepalese beat this record by miles. (Wikipedia list of Everest Climbers)
There are more young Nepalese adventurers coming along the rank with Mingma David Sherpa being the youngest person in the world to summit all 14X8000 M peaks. He was a part of Nim’s Dai Bremont Project possible climbing team.
Nepalese will continue to work in the mountains and keep building on the records, with or without sponsorships from big brands. Their work is in the mountains but if big brands could back them up with sponsorship, more young Nepalese will be inspired to follow their passion into the mountains who might better represent Nepal and explore other unclimbed peaks, raise the standard of Nepalese guiding team which is a great news for all the climbers who seek better local guides coming out of Nepal.
Article by - Bisesh
Namas Adventure