Kathmandu, Nepal — Nima Rinji Sherpa, an 18-year-old Nepali mountaineer, has become the youngest person ever to climb all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks, achieving the feat on Wednesday by summiting Shisha Pangma in Tibet. His successful ascent of the 8,027-metre (26,335 feet) peak marks the culmination of his quest to conquer the highest mountains on the planet, according to his team.
Sherpa’s father, Tashi Sherpa, expressed pride in his son’s accomplishment, saying, “He reached the summit this morning. He had trained well, and I was confident he would do it.” Nima Rinji Sherpa hails from a family with a rich legacy in mountaineering and is part of Nepal’s largest expedition company.
Conquering all 14 of these towering peaks, known as “eight-thousanders,” is a pinnacle of mountaineering achievement. These climbs involve navigating “death zones” where the lack of oxygen poses a grave risk to climbers. In a statement, Sherpa dedicated his accomplishment to the Sherpa community, saying, “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.”
The record for summiting all eight-thousanders was previously held by fellow Nepali climber Mingma Gyabu ‘David’ Sherpa, who reached the milestone at 30 years old in 2019. Nima Rinji Sherpa, however, began his high-altitude climbing career at 16 and swiftly progressed, reaching his 13th peak, Kanchenjunga, earlier this year.
Nima Nuru Sherpa, president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, celebrated this achievement as a “proud moment” for Nepal, noting that the young climber’s success sends a message about the power of determination. Traditionally, Nepali Sherpas have played a crucial role in supporting foreign climbers on Himalayan expeditions, but they are increasingly recognized for their own record-breaking achievements.
In recent years, Nepali climbers have earned global recognition, including a historic 2021 winter ascent of Pakistan’s K2, the world’s second-highest and notoriously difficult peak. Nima Rinji Sherpa’s record further cements Nepal’s status as a leader in the world of high-altitude mountaineering.
