KATHMANDU, JANUARY 5

The government has appointed renowned woman mountaineer Dawa Yangzum Sherpa as the tourism goodwill ambassador to Washington of the United States of America.

Dawa Yangzum has been named Nepal's tourism ambassador following a decision made by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.

Dawa Yangzum, who is also the second vice president of Nepal Mountaineering Association, will serve as the tourism ambassador for four years to promote Nepal in the USA, according to the ministry.

She is the youngest ambassador for Rolex Planet Perpetual and she had also been chosen as The North Face global team athlete.

Born in Rolwaling valley, Dawa Yangzum, 30, is the first Asian woman IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide, is the first Nepali woman to climb most 8,000m peaks, and has been mentoring girls keen on mountaineering by providing climbing gear and training.

She is the youngest K2 summiteer and also the first Nepali woman to have climbed Annapurna I without O2. She also made the first ever ascent of Mt Langdung. Besides, her successful climbs include K2, Everest and the first ascent of two mountains in Nepal. 'She is one of three Nepali women who first climbed Mt K2 (8,611m) under the Women for Change Expedition in 2014.'

Being the professional guide, Dawa Yangzum also led the National Geographic scientific research team to Mt Everest 2019 and 2022. She also holds the speed climbing record (female) on Makalu in 20 hours. Dawa Yangzum, who became the first woman to reach Manaslu true summit in autumn, has received many awards including Kumar Khadga Bikram Sahasik Puruskar and NMA's Tenzing Hillary Award. She is also involved in Nepal National Mountain Guide Association, Khumbu Climbing Center, Alex Lowe Charitable Foundation and the Juniper Fund.

Dawa Yangzum has been doing social services through different initiatives including Nomad Clinic Project and COVID Relief Program among others.