An 18-year-old Nepali mountaineer, Nima Rinji Sherpa, has set a new record as the youngest person to summit all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks.
His team announced that he reached the summit of Shisha Pangma, which stands at 8,027 meters (26,335 feet) in Tibet, on Wednesday morning, marking the completion of his ambitious goal.
Sherpa’s father, Tashi Sherpa, expressed confidence in his son’s training and abilities, stating, “He reached the summit this morning. He had trained well and I was confident he would do it.”
Climbing all 14 of the “eight-thousanders” is a significant achievement in mountaineering, as it requires crossing perilous “death zones” with dangerously low oxygen levels.
In a statement, Sherpa remarked, “This summit is not just the culmination of my personal journey, but a tribute to every Sherpa who has ever dared to dream beyond the traditional boundaries set for us.”
Coming from a family of renowned mountaineers who operate Nepal’s largest expedition company, Sherpa began high-altitude climbing at 16, with his first major ascent being Mount Manaslu in August 2022. By June of this year, he had successfully climbed his 13th peak, Kanchenjunga, the third highest in the world.
Nepal Mountaineering Association President Nima Nuru Sherpa hailed this achievement as a source of national pride, stating, “Nima broke all the stereotypes, and his success has given a message that nothing is impossible if you have a strong determination.”
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In 2021, a group of Nepali climbers achieved the first-ever winter ascent of K2, the second-highest peak in the world, known for its extreme difficulty. This mountain stands at 8,611 meters (28,251 feet) and is often referred to as the “savage mountain” in Pakistan.
