KATHMANDU: A former UK’s Special Forces member has successfully climbed Mt Manaslu, the world’s eighth highest peak, completing his 13th eight-thousander in just over five months. Nirmal ‘Nims’ Purja (36), had set another world record by successfully scaling 13 peaks above 8,000 m in 158 days, officials said. According to base camp officials, Purja along with other members of the Project Possible team made it to the top of 8,163-metre mountain early this morning. Purja reached the summit point at around 7:50 am this morning, officials said. Managing Director at Seven Summits Trek Tashi Lakpa Sherpa told THT from the base camp that Purja and other climbers were safely descending to the lower camps after standing atop the mountain. Purja has to climb Mt Manaslu, Mt Cho Oyu and Mt Shishapangma by this November to complete his third phase of the Project Possible.  But, China has reportedly closed Mt Shishapangma this year. Purja scaled Cho Oyu on September 23. Purja, who has spent 16 years in the British Army, wants to establish a paradigm shift in the perception of human potential by climbing all 14 mountains in 7 months. The current records for the fastest attempt are: seven years, 10 months and six days by Korean climber Kim Chang-ho in 2013 and seven years, 11 months and 14 days by Polish climber Jerzy Kukuczka in 1987. Purja, 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 8,000 m category. Purja’s Summit Record:

1. Mt Manaslu – September 27
2. Cho Oyu – September 23
3. Broad Peak – July 26
4. Mt K2 – July 24
5. Gasherbrum II – July 18
6. Gasherbrum I – July 15
7. Nanga Parbat – July 03
8. Mt Makalu – May 24
9. Mt Everest – May 22
10. Mt Lhotse – May 22
11. Mt Kanchenjunga – May 15
12. Mt Dhaulagiri – May 12
13. Mt Annapurna – April 23

• Nirmal ‘Nims’ Purja reaches Manaslu base camp to attempt his 13th 8000er on Sept 27
• Nirmal ‘Nims’ Purja scales Cho Oyu; China still unresponsive to Shishapangma permit plea
• Nirmal ‘Nims’ Purja reaches Manaslu base camp, to attempt two peaks by Sept end
• Nirmal ‘Nims’ Purja sets world record climbing 6 mountains in 4 weeks
• Nirmal Purja stands atop Kanchenjunga after heroic ascent of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna
• Nirmal Purja heads to Dhaulagiri for no-O2 summit; Camp IV set up on Mt Kanchenjunga