A Nepalese teenager, Nima Rinji Sherpa, has set a new world record as the youngest mountaineer to summit Earth’s 14 highest peaks.
At 18, he reached the top of Tibet’s Mount Shishapangma on Wednesday at 06:05 local time, completing the challenging feat in just 740 days. The peaks, recognised by the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA), are all over 8,000 meters above sea level, earning them the title of “eight-thousanders.”
Nima Rinji’s journey began at the age of 16, and his record-breaking achievement now places him among an elite group of climbers who have summited all of these towering mountains. He reached his first major milestone in September 2022, when he stood atop Nepal’s Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world, shortly after finishing his 10th-grade exams. Throughout his climbs, he was accompanied by his trusted climbing partner, Pasang Nurbu Sherpa.
This latest ascent is only one of several accolades for Nima Rinji, who is also the youngest person to have scaled Himalayan peaks G1 and G2, Kashmir’s Nanga Parbat, and Mount Everest along with Lhotse within a span of 10 hours. However, standing atop Mount Shishapangma marked more than just the culmination of a personal goal for the young mountaineer. It symbolised a broader mission to challenge the traditional perception of Sherpas as mere helpers for 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,” Nima Rinji said after his record-setting climb. He emphasised that Sherpas are not just support climbers, but adventurers and athletes in their own right. “We are trailblazers,” he stated, calling on the younger generation of Sherpas to see the dignity in their work and the potential they possess. He added, “Mountaineering is more than labour, it is a testament to our strength, resilience and passion.”
Nima Rinji hails from a family of record-holding mountaineers who operate Seven Summit Treks, Nepal’s largest mountaineering expedition company, which organised his Shishapangma climb. His father, Tashi Lakpa Sherpa, recalled receiving the news of his son’s achievement via satellite phone. “He told me, ‘Dad, I reached the summit at 6:05 Chinese time. My colleague Pasang Norbu and I have arrived,'” his father said, adding that the young climber remained calm and professional about his monumental feat. He said, “Being highly trained and professional, he wasn’t even thrilled; it was normal. I said ‘I had faith in you. Return safely’.”
Rakesh Gurung, Director of Adventure Tourism and Mountaineering under Nepal’s Department of Tourism, confirmed the record and noted the significance of the achievement. Nima Rinji surpassed the previous record-holder, Mingma Gyabu ‘David’ Sherpa, who completed the same feat at the age of 30 in 2019. “This record is difficult to break now,” Gurung said.
All 14 eight-thousanders are located in Asia, primarily within the Himalayan and Karakoram ranges. Nima Rinji’s extraordinary accomplishment not only showcases his individual prowess but also brings pride to the Sherpa community, illustrating their evolving role in the world of high-altitude mountaineering.
Melissa Enoch
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