An 18-year-old Nepali mountaineer, Nima Rinji Sherpa, made history on Wednesday by becoming the youngest person to summit all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter (26,246-foot) peaks. His remarkable achievement was sealed after successfully reaching the summit of Tibet’s 26,335-foot Shisha Pangma.
Summit Success
- Nima Rinji Sherpa reached the summit of Tibet’s 26,335-foot Shisha Pangma on October 9, 2024.
- This was the final climb needed to complete his journey of conquering all 14 of the world’s “eight-thousanders.”
- Nima’s father, Tashi Sherpa, expressed his confidence in his son’s success, stating, “He had trained well, and I was confident he would do it.”
Ultimate Mountaineering Goal
- Climbing all 14 “eight-thousanders” is considered the pinnacle of mountaineering achievements.
- These climbs involve traversing “death zones,” where the lack of oxygen at such altitudes makes survival incredibly challenging without supplemental oxygen.
Nima’s Background
- Nima Rinji Sherpa comes from a family of seasoned mountaineers, including record-holding climbers.
- His family now operates Nepal’s largest mountaineering expedition company, showcasing the Sherpas’ integral role in high-altitude expeditions.
Previous Record
- The record for summiting all 14 of the world’s highest peaks was previously held by Mingma Gyabu “David” Sherpa, a Nepali climber who accomplished the feat in 2019 at the age of 30.
Nima’s Climbing Journey
- Nima began high-altitude climbing at the age of 16, scaling Mount Manaslu in August 2022.
- By June 2024, he had reached the summit of his 13th mountain, Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest peak.
- In 2023, Nima summited Mount Everest (29,032 feet), the world’s tallest mountain, within a day of also climbing Mount Lhotse (27,940 feet), another of the eight-thousanders
Sherpa Contributions to Mountaineering
- Nepali Sherpas, particularly from the valleys surrounding Mount Everest, are the backbone of the climbing industry in the Himalayas.
- They manage most of the labor-intensive tasks, such as carrying equipment, fixing ropes, and preparing routes for international expeditions.
- Traditionally seen as support for foreign climbers, Sherpas are increasingly gaining recognition for their own mountaineering prowess.
NMA President Remarks
- According to Nima Nuru Sherpa, president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, Nima’s success “broke all the stereotypes,” proving that with determination, anything is possible.
14 High Mountain Peaks in World
- Everest 8848m / 29028ft
- K2 8611m / 28250ft
- Kanchenjunga 8586m / 28169ft
- Lhotse 8516m / 27940ft
- Makalu 8463m / 27766ft
- Cho Oyu 8201m / 26906ft
- Dhaulagiri 8167m / 26795ft
- Manaslu 8163m / 26781ft
- Nanga Parbat 8125m / 26660ft
- Annapurna I 8091m / 26545ft
- Gasherbrum I 8068m / 26469ft
- Broad Peak 8047m / 26400ft
- Gasherbrum II 8035m / 26362ft
- Shishapangma 8012m / 26285ft
These 14 highest peaks, 10 are found in the Himalayan Mountain Range and 4 in the Karakoram Mountain Range across Nepal, China, Pakistan and India on the continent of Asia.
Death zone
- The summits of the world’s 14 highest mountains are all found in what is known as the “death zone” which is typically identified as 8,000m above sea level.
- At these altitudes, the oxygen levels are insufficient to sustain human life for an extended period hence the ominous nickname.
- Additionally, exposure to stronger UV radiation, freezing temperatures and extreme weather pose other dangers to climbers above this point.
About Shisha Pangma
- Shishapangma is the 14th highest peak in the world at 26,335 feet or 8,027 meters.
- It is located in southern Tibet and uniquely stands somewhat alone from the main Himalayan range.
| Summary/Static | Details |
| Why in the news? | An 18-year-old Nepali mountaineer, Nima Rinji Sherpa, made history on Wednesday by becoming the youngest person to summit all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter (26,246-foot) peaks. |
| Total Peaks Climbed | 14 of the world’s highest 8,000-meter peaks |
| Previous Record Holder | Mingma Gyabu “David” Sherpa (30 years old, 2019) |
| 14 Highest Peaks | Everest, K2, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Nanga Parbat, Annapurna I, Gasherbrum I, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum II, Shishapangma |
| Death Zone | Peaks above 8,000m considered the “death zone” due to insufficient oxygen and extreme conditions |