In a remarkable achievement, Nima Rinji Sherpa, an 18-year-old from Nepal, has set a new world record as the youngest mountaineer to conquer all 14 of Earth’s highest peaks, known as “eight-thousanders.” He reached the summit of Mount Shishapangma in Tibet at approximately 06:05 local time on Wednesday, solidifying his place among a select few who have scaled these towering mountains.
Nima began his journey into high-altitude mountaineering at the age of 16, completing the daunting challenge of summiting all eight-thousanders in just 740 days. His ascent of Nepal’s Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world, took place shortly after he finished his 10th-grade high school exams on September 30, 2022. Accompanied by his climbing partner, Pasang Nurbu Sherpa, Nima has also set multiple records, including being the youngest climber to reach the peaks of Himalayan mountains G1 and G2, as well as Kashmir’s Nanga Parbat. Notably, he scaled both Mount Everest and Lhotse within a remarkable 10-hour window.
Reflecting on his historic climb, Nima emphasized his ambition to challenge the stereotype of Sherpas as merely assistants to foreign climbers. “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,” he stated after his ascent of Mount Shishapangma. He aims to inspire younger generations of Sherpas to recognize their potential as elite athletes and adventurers rather than being confined to the role of support climbers.
The term ‘Sherpa’ is commonly associated with mountain guides or porters in the Everest region, but it is also the name of a distinct ethnic group native to the mountainous areas of Nepal. Nima Rinji wants to encourage his community to “rise above the stereotype” and embrace their rich heritage and opportunities.
Hailing from a family of accomplished mountaineers, Nima’s parents run Seven Summit Treks, Nepal’s largest mountaineering expedition company, with whom he completed his latest climb. His father, Tashi Lakpa Sherpa, recounted the moment he received the news via satellite phone. “He told me, ‘Dad, I reached the summit at 6:05 Chinese time. My colleague Pasang Norbu and I have arrived.’ He was calm and professional; I said, ‘I had faith in you. Return safely.’”
Rakesh Gurung, Director of the Adventure Tourism and Mountaineering Branch under Nepal’s Department of Tourism, confirmed Nima’s record to the BBC. “The peak has been confirmed this morning. Now I understand that there is a matter of giving a certificate after returning to the base camp,” he stated.
The previous record for the youngest climber to summit all eight-thousanders was held by Nepali climber Mingma Gyabu ‘David’ Sherpa, who accomplished this feat at the age of 30 in 2019. Gurung remarked, “This record is difficult to break now,” given the extreme challenges associated with these climbs.
All 14 eight-thousanders are located in Asia, primarily within the Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges.
