KATHMANDU, MARCH 7
The inaugural Late Babu Chiri Sherpa Memorial Open Sport Climbing Competition, 2024 is scheduled to take place in Kathmandu, on March 14.
The event, jointly organized by the New York-based Alpine Sports Association, INC. and Everest Summitter's Association (ESA), is scheduled to be held at the Crimpanzee Adventure Hub, in Bauddha, informed President Nwang Nima Sherpa of the ASP during a press conference today.
"Through this competition, we aim to enhance the experience of sports climbing development in Nepal by positively impacting the adventurous sports industry and its participants," Sherpa said.
During the event, Sherpa also informed of the establishment of the Alpine Sports Association-North America-Nepal in New York with the aim of promoting adventure mountain sports at the international level. He also mentioned that such competitions play a significant role in promoting adventurous mountain sports.
In the program, Maya Sherpa, the President of the Everest Summitters' Association, reminisced about the late Babu Chiri Sherpa, the world-renowned climber, and his remarkable contributions.
She emphasized the need for an increasing number of competitions like this to remember the achievements of legendary climbers like Babu Chiri Sherpa. She also mentioned that the competition will be organized annually. Furthermore, she highlighted the stewardship of the ESA in preserving the legacy of Babu Chiri Sherpa through the maintenance of his statue and museum.
The Nepal National Mountain Guide Association (NNMGA) will provide technical support (route setting, judging, safety, and Beley service). The competition will feature categories for both men and women, with cash prizes of Rs 50,000, Rs 30,000, and Rs 15,000 to the first, second, and third place winners, respectively.
Late Babu Chiri Sherpa is considered one of the greatest mountaineers ever. He has summited Mount Everest ten times (including four times from the Chinese side) and is recognized as one of the strongest climbers in the Himalayas and a world-renowned mountaineer.
He managed to set two world records on Mt. Everest during the spring season by spending more than 21 hours on the summit of Mount Everest without oxygen (still a record), and by climbing the Mt Everest from the south side for the fastest time in 16 hours and 56 minutes. Unfortunately, he died on April 29, 2001, during his attempt to climb Everest for the 11th time.
