Asian teen breaks record by climbing earth’s highest peaks

A Nepali teenager has set a new world record as the youngest climber to summit the 14 highest peaks on Earth.

At just 18 years old, Nima Rinji Sherpa reached the summit of Mount Shishapangma in Tibet around 06:05 local time on Wednesday. This achievement places him among the few individuals acknowledged by the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA) for scaling all of the world’s “eight-thousanders” — peaks exceeding 8,000 meters above sea level.

Embarking on his high-altitude climbing journey at the age of 16, Sherpa completed all 14 peaks in an impressive 740 days. Among these climbs was Nepal’s Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain globally, shortly after completing his 10th-grade exams in September 2022.

Throughout his expeditions, Sherpa was accompanied by his climbing partner, Pasang Nurbu Sherpa. Together, they navigated some of the most challenging terrains on the planet.

Standing atop Mount Shishapangma, Sherpa reflected on his ascent not only as a personal triumph but also as a testament to redefining the role of Sherpas in mountaineering.

He stated, “This summit is more than just the culmination of my personal journey. It’s a tribute to every Sherpa who dares to dream beyond conventional boundaries.”

Beyond setting records, Sherpa aims to inspire younger generations of Sherpas to explore their potential as elite athletes and adventurers, challenging the stereotype that Sherpas are merely support climbers.

Coming from a family renowned for their mountaineering prowess, Sherpa’s achievements resonate deeply within Nepal’s mountaineering community. His father, Tashi Lakpa Sherpa, founder of Seven Summit Treks, Nepal’s largest mountaineering company, recounted the moment his son relayed the successful climb via satellite phone with calm professionalism.

Rakesh Gurung, Director of Adventure Tourism and Mountaineering at Nepal’s Department of Tourism confirmed Sherpa’s record-setting achievement, underscoring the difficulty of the feat and its significance within the mountaineering world.

With all 14 eight-thousanders located in the Himalayan and Karakoram ranges of Asia, Sherpa’s accomplishment stands as a testament to human endurance, determination, and the spirit of exploration in the world’s most formidable landscapes.

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