Young Sherpa Conquers World’s Tallest Mountains at 18

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

1. Everest 8848m / 29028ft
2. K2 8611m / 28250ft
3. Kanchenjunga 8586m / 28169ft
4. Lhotse 8516m / 27940ft
5. Makalu 8463m / 27766ft
6. Cho Oyu 8201m / 26906ft
7. Dhaulagiri 8167m / 26795ft
8. Manaslu 8163m / 26781ft
9. Nanga Parbat 8125m / 26660ft
10. Annapurna I 8091m / 26545ft
11. Gasherbrum I 8068m / 26469ft
12. Broad Peak 8047m / 26400ft
13. Gasherbrum II 8035m / 26362ft
14. 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.