In a remarkable achievement, 18-year-old Nima Rinji Sherpa from Nepal has broken the world record for the youngest mountaineer to successfully summit all of Earth’s 14 highest peaks. Sherpa reached the summit of Tibet’s Mount Shishapangma at approximately 6:05 a.m. local time on Wednesday, adding to his impressive list of accolades.
This achievement places Sherpa among a select group of climbers who have conquered the world’s “eight-thousanders,” the mountains recognized by the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA) as exceeding 8,000 meters in elevation. Nima, who began climbing high-altitude peaks at the age of 16, completed the ascent of all 14 eight-thousanders within a remarkable 740 days. Notably, he summited Nepal’s Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world, shortly after completing his 10th-grade high school exams on September 30, 2022.
Throughout his climbs, Nima was accompanied by his partner, Pasang Nurbu Sherpa, who has supported him on this ambitious journey. His latest ascent to Mount Shishapangma is just one of many records held by the young climber, who has also become the youngest person to summit the Himalayan peaks G1 and G2, as well as Kashmir’s Nanga Parbat. Additionally, he holds the record for the fastest ascent of both Mount Everest and Lhotse, completing both summits in under 10 hours.
Upon reaching the summit of Mount Shishapangma, Nima expressed a deeper ambition beyond personal achievement: challenging the stereotype that Sherpas are 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. He emphasized that mountaineering represents the strength and resilience of Sherpas, who he believes can excel as athletes and adventurers.
Nima Rinji comes from a family of accomplished mountaineers, with his parents operating Seven Summit Treks, Nepal’s largest mountaineering expedition company. His father, Tashi Lakpa Sherpa, recounted their conversation after Nima reached the summit, revealing a sense of calm professionalism from his son. “He told me, ‘Dad, I reached the summit at 6:05 Chinese time. My colleague Pasang Norbu and I have arrived,'” Tashi Lakpa recalled, expressing his pride in Nima’s accomplishment.
Rakesh Gurung, Director of Adventure Tourism and Mountaineering Branch under Nepal’s Department of Tourism, confirmed Nima’s record-setting achievement. The previous record holder, Mingma Gyabu ‘David’ Sherpa, summited all eight-thousanders at the age of 30 in 2019.
Nima Rinji’s landmark ascent underscores not only his personal prowess but also serves as an inspiration for younger generations of Sherpas to redefine their roles in the mountaineering world, proving that they can be more than just guides but trailblazers in their own right.
