Kathmandu, March 6:

A diverse team of Nepali women, to draw attention to promote Nepal as a priority destination

in the world, has now embarked on a new journey: ‘Himalayan Women to Seven Summits’. Spreading the message of ‘Unity in Diversity’, they made their successful expedition

to the top of the world, Mt Everest, in May 2008.

“The purpose was to increase Nepali women’s participation in mountaineering as only seven Nepali women had scaled Everest before that,” said Shailee Basnet, team member of the First Inclusive Women Sagarmatha Expedition 2008 Spring (FWISE).

The team’s success has marked history not only in Nepal

but worldwide as FWISE became the most successful women’s expedition to Everest.

The same team has yet again floated another journey, ‘Himalayan Women to Seven Summits’, with the slogan ‘inviting change, inviting the world’, a unique endeavor to demonstrate that women and youth can bring about change. “Our team of young women is set to climb the highest mountain in each continent in the years 2009-2010. This includes Mt Elbrus in Europe, Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Carstensz Pyramid in Oceania, Kosciuszko in Australia, Vinson Massif In Antarctica, Aconcagus in South America, Mt McKinley in North America and Mt Everest in Asia which the team has climbed,” said Basnet.

During the press meet organized for the introduction of Himalayan Women To Seven Summits, Nepal Tourism Board chief executive officer Prachanda Man Shrestha said, “The mission will draw global attention to women’s and youths’ empowerment in the most unique way. This will in turn encourage more women and youngsters in the world to live out their dreams and hence show that women and youth can make a difference.”

Shrestha also said that this effort would definitely support Nepal Tourism Year 2011, as it will cause increased global exposure. He added that NTB is representing the team and requesting airlines to sponsor air tickets for the team. The board is also seeking tourism business entrepreneurs’ support for various initiatives.

Meanwhile, the team will conduct promotional events in Russia, Tanzania, the Netherlands, Indonesia, Australia, Argentina and USA in between climbing. The target of the promotional events is to draw global attention to promote Nepal as a priority tourist destination.

The team consists of Asha Kumari Singh, Nawang Phuti Sherpa, Pema Diki Sherpa, Nim Doma Sherpa, Usha Bist, Shailee Basnet, Maya Gurung, Chunu Shrestha, Pujan Acharya and Susmita Maskey.

According to the Himalayan Women To Seven Summits team, till 2008 June 229 climbers have climbed the seven summits. Richard Dick Bass is the first summiteer. The first woman to do is Junko Tabei while Lakpa Rita Sherpa is the only Nepali summiteer.

The country is preparing to celebrate Nepal Tourism Year 2011 on a massive scale. The Ministry of Tourism is working to set up the requisite infrastructure for a targetted million tourists.