Nepal

Nirmal Nims Purja sets world record climbing 6 mountains in 4 weeks

Nirmal ‘Nims’ Purja sets world record climbing 6 mountains in 4 weeks

By Rajan Pokhrel

Nirmal 'Nims' Purja. Photo Courtesy: Project Possible

KATHMANDU: A former UK Special Forces member has set the world record by successfully climbing six of the world’s highest mountains, known as the 8000ers, in just over four weeks in the spring season. Nirmal 'Nims' Purja, 35, has succeeded in the first phase of his ambition to speed climb the world’s 14 highest mountains in just seven months, an official of the ‘Project Possible’ announced. Nims climbed Mt Makalu, sixth of 14 mountains, early this morning, according to Mingma Sherpa, Chairman at Seven Summit Treks. Before heading for Mt Makalu summit, Nims summited Mt Everest at 05:30 am and Mt Lhotse at 15:45 pm despite heavy traffic on Wednesday. A spokesperson for Project Possible said: “Whilst the news of this final summit of Makalu has been announced on a Facebook page we have yet to speak to Nims, his priority will be speaking with his wife and family who have endured some anxious moments over the last four to five weeks. It is clear that Nims has missed some summit windows due to the weather and unforeseen, and very tragic, rescues. He will be pursuing his bid to climb the world's 14 highest mountains in seven months once he has had some rest.” Preparing for the first mountain, Mt Annapurna, Nims had to climb the mountain nearly four times in order to fix lines and to ensure that the narrow window for the summit was met. The winds on Mt Dhaulagiri made the climb worse than Mt Annapurna, reputed to be the world’s deadliest mountain, and the queues on Mt Everest were extraordinary, the Spokesperson added. “We have to wait until Guinness World Records verify the climbs but from our reckoning there are a number of records that have been not only broken but ‘smashed’. Not least of which is Nims’ own record of Mt Everest, Lhotse and Makalu which stood at five days - we believe he has just done it in 48 hrs 30 mins, having already climbed the world's 10th, 7th and 3rd highest peaks.” The former British soldier was the first Gurkha to join the elite Special Boat Service and has already three World Records for speed climbing to his name. Nims, a permanent resident of Myagdi, is the first Gurkha to climb Mt Everest while serving the British Military and a current holder of multiple World Records for the fastest ascent of double and triple header mountains in the higher than 8000m category. He also quit a prestigious job in the British Army to break more boundaries and help others move forward in their lives, realise their dreams and exceed the limitations. Purja said he has already re-mortgaged his Hampshire home to collect the fund for the ‘Project Possible’. During the second phase, Purja plans attempt to climb five other mountains including Mt K2 by August 1. Then his final attempt will begin in September with plans to climb the remaining three peaks by November 1. SUMMIT SUCCESS: Mt Annapurna – April 23 Mt Dhaulagiri – May 12 Mt Kanchenjunga – May 15 Mt Everest – May 22 Mt Lhotse – May 22 Mt Makalu – May 24