KATHMANDU, AUGUST 5
Amidst a jubilant atmosphere, Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) extended a grandiose welcome and offered heartfelt felicitations to the record holder climbers Tenjen Sherpa, Kristin Harila and Nima Rinji Sherpa, among others.
During a ceremony held at Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), NMA honoured Tenjen, Harila and Nima with silver badges and letters of appreciation. NMA also honoured Muktu Sherpa, Ang Dawa Sherpa, Ngima Dorchi Sherpa and Pechhumbe Sherpa with letters of appreciation.
Tenjen, a resident of Makalu Rural Municipality of Sankhuwasabha and Harila from Norway jointly hold the record of completing all the 14 eight-thousanders in the shortest span of time. Harila and Tenjin scaled Mount K2 in Pakistan last week, thus completing the ascent of the 14 peaks - that is over 8,000 metres (about 26,000 feet) - high in 92 days, shattering the previous record held by Nirmal Purja aka 'Nims Dai'.
At the age of 17, Nima, who shares the same address as Tenjen, has etched his name as the youngest summiteer of Mt K2, the world's second-highest peak. Meanwhile, Muktu, Ang Dawa, Ngima, and Pechhumbe have scripted a unique chapter in history by becoming the first set of siblings from the same parents to conquer the challenging heights of Mt K2 together. All the climbers returned to Nepal this morning from Pakistan via Dubai.
They were received at Tribhuvan International Airport by State Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sushila Sirpali Thakuri, Director General of Department of Tourism Hom Prasad Luitel, President of NMA Nima Nuru Sherpa and other officials. They were given heroes' welcome at the Kathmandu airport where hundreds including mountaineers, high-level government officials and well-wishers gathered to welcome them back with cheers and flower garlands.
Subsequently, they were escorted to NTB hall for the formal felicitation with a rally. The rally embarked on a journey through various parts of Kathmandu.
Harila expressed gratitude towards her team for their instrumental role in achieving the campaign's success. She also warmly conveyed her deep affection for Nepal. "Without the support of Tenjen and other Sherpas who contributed, this remarkable campaign would not have achieved its success. Thus, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Tenjen and all those who stood by me throughout this remarkable journey," she expressed. "Nepal has become a second home to me, and I eagerly anticipate returning on every possible occasion."
In, Bhrikutimandap, on behalf of NMA, Director of Mountain Tourism Section of Department of Tourism Rakesh Gurung conferred the silver medals and presented letters of appreciation to the climbers. He also congratulated all the climbers and extended his gratitude to NMA for organising a felicitation programme for climbers.
"I had a chance to have a personal interaction with Harila and her team before this expedition and I held a strong belief in the success of her endeavour due to her unwavering dedication," Gurung said. "It is an honour to acknowledge their accomplishments. I want to offer my sincere congratulations to Kristin, Tenjen, Nima, and all the climbers for their remarkable feat."
NMA's Chief Advisor, Ang Tshering Sherpa, heralded this achievement as unparalleled. He said, "Undoubtedly, this is an immensely significant accomplishment. Personally, and in all capacities, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the climbers who have secured these records."
NMA's President Nima Nuru expressed gratitude to everyone who played a part in ensuring the success of the programme. "In my perspective, this event should have been organised in a unique manner, at an exceptional location, and celebrated at a distinct level." He added, "However, it's only the NMA trying hard for the betterment of mountain tourism, environmental conservation, and the welfare of mountain communities."
NMA Advisor Mingma Sherpa and Chairman of Makalu Rural Municipality Ongdi Tshering Sherpa also seconded the thoughts of the NMA president.
The programme was attended by various luminaries including Head of Administration at Royal Norwegian Embassy Elisbeth Wemberg, among others.
A version of this article appears in the print on August 6, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
