Record-setting mountaineers Nima Rinji and Dawa Yangzum have returned to a hero's welcome in Nepal.
Kathmandu [Nepal], October 14: Nepal's record-setting climbers Nima Rinji Sherpa and Dawa Yangzum Sherpa received a heroic welcome on Monday as they returned to Kathmandu after summiting Shishapangma in Tibet.
Family members and relatives eagerly lined up to greet the climbers upon their arrival home. Bands played while fellow Sherpa women danced in celebration of the climbers' return.
As Nima Rinji and Dawa Yangzum exited the VIP terminal of Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, they were greeted with garlands and Khada. They were among about a dozen record-setting climbers who emerged from the terminal.
On October 9, Nima Rinji Sherpa, at just 18 years old, set a world record as the youngest person to summit all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters by reaching the summit of Mount Shishapangma.
In a brief statement to ANI, Nima expressed his happiness upon returning to Nepal, saying, "I am very happy upon returning back to Nepal."
When asked about his future plans, he mentioned, "I will get into the tourism industry in my future."
At the remarkable age of 18 years and 5 months, Nima Rinji made history by achieving this feat on October 9. He was accompanied by climbing partner Pasang Nurbu Sherpa, who also completed the challenge of climbing all 14 peaks.
Nima Rinji was waiting for permits from the Chinese authorities, which arrived in September, allowing him to attempt the record. He began his journey in September 2022, starting with a climb of Mount Manaslu at 8,163 meters. He accomplished the challenge of climbing all 14 peaks in two years and ten days, according to the expedition organizer.
According to records from the Department of Tourism, Nima Rinji ascended various peaks, including Mount Manaslu (8163m) on September 30, 2022; Mount Everest (8848.86m) on May 24, 2023; Mount Lhotse (8516m) on May 24, 2023; Mount Nanga Parbat (8126m) on June 26, 2023; Mount Gasherbrum I (8068m) on July 18, 2023; Mount Gasherbrum II (8035m) on July 19, 2023; and Mount Broad Peak (8047m) on July 23, 2023.
He also successfully climbed Mount K2 (8611m) on July 27, 2023; Mount Cho-Oyu (8188m) on October 6, 2023; Mount Dhaulagiri (8167m) on September 29, 2023; Mount Annapurna (8091m) without oxygen on April 12, 2024; Mount Makalu (8485m) on May 4, 2024; Mount Kanchenjunga (8586m) on June 8, 2024; and finally Mount Shishapangma (8027m) on October 9, 2024.
Dawa Yangzum, another record-setting female climber, successfully climbed all 14 of the world’s peaks above 8,000 meters last week, with her final ascent being Shishapangma in Tibet.
Upon her arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Dawa expressed her thrill, stating, "I am feeling thrilled; all the hardships and struggles indeed paid off. This success has made me forget all the hardships."
Dawa, the first female Asian mountain guide certified by the International Federation of Mountain Guides (IFMGA), focused her efforts on summiting all 14 of the world's highest mountains. She reached the summit of Shishapangma on October 9 at 5:30 am (Nepal time).
In addition to her climbing achievements, Dawa advocates for women in the male-dominated field of mountaineering and raises awareness about the effects of climate change on Nepal's fragile ecosystems. Through her partnerships with renowned global brands like The North Face and Rolex, she amplifies these important causes.
As the first Nepali woman to conquer all 14 of the world's highest peaks, Dawa has paved the way for future generations of climbers, demonstrating that the sky is the limit. The only other woman to achieve this milestone was Spain's Edurne Pasaban, who first completed the challenge in 2010. Dawa's accomplishment now places her in this elite group, bringing pride not only to her country but also to women around the globe.