Nepal teen breaks record by climbing all 14 highest peaks on earth
Nima Rinji Sherpa, an 18-year-old from Nepal, has made history by becoming the youngest climber to summit all 14 of the world’s highest peaks, known as the “eight-thousanders."
On the morning of October 9, at around 06:05 local time, he reached the summit of Mount Shishapangma in Tibet, an achievement recognised by the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA).
Starting his high-altitude climbing journey at just 16, Sherpa completed this feat in only 740 days. His climbs included Nepal’s Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain, which he summited shortly after finishing his 10th-grade exams in September 2022.
Throughout his climbs, Sherpa was supported by his climbing partner, Pasang Nurbu Sherpa. Nima’s achievements also include being the youngest to summit peaks G1 and G2 in the Himalayas, Kashmir’s Nanga Parbat, and climbing both Mount Everest and Lhotse within 10 hours.
After reaching the summit of Shishapangma, Nima expressed his aim to challenge the stereotype of Sherpas as merely assistants to foreign climbers.
The term "Sherpa" commonly refers to mountain guides in the Everest region, but it identifies an ethnic group from the mountains of Nepal. Nima Rinji aims to inspire younger Sherpas to move beyond the stereotype of being just support climbers and to embrace their potential as elite athletes and adventurers.
"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 said. “Mountaineering is more than labour; it is a testament to our strength, resilience, and passion.”
Nima comes from a family renowned for their climbing background. His father, Tashi Lakpa Sherpa, founded Seven Summit Treks, Nepal’s largest mountaineering company.
Rakesh Gurung, Director of Adventure Tourism and Mountaineering at Nepal’s Department of Tourism confirmed Nima's record-setting achievement.
