KATHMANDU, AUGUST 9
The Pasang Lhamu Foundation has expressed gratitude to the USGS Astrogeology Science Center for naming a lunar crater in honor of Pasang Lhamu Sherpa.
Issuing a statment on Friday, the foundation said that this recognition is a monumental tribute to her legacy, immortalizing her spirit if courage and perseverance.
Earlier this week, the US Geological Survey (USGS), the largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency in America, announced that a crater at the Moon's South Pole has been named after Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, the first Nepali woman to summit Mt. Everest.
"Pasang Lhamu Sherpa was the first Nepalese woman to summit Everest, and now has a crater named for her on the summit of an important lunar South Pole mountain," the USGS stated.
In their statement, the foundation said, "We also want to express our heartfelt thanks to our friends, supporters, and the media who have shared in our joy and stood by us during this momentous occasion. Your love and support continue to inspire us as we carry her legacy forward, now reaching beyond our world into the farthest corners of the universe."
The announcement followed the International Astronomical Union's approval of the crater's name as 'Lhamu Crater' on July 29.
Pasang Lhamu Sherpa made mountaineering history on April 22, 1993, by becoming the first Nepalese woman to scale the world's highest peak. Tragically, she died on the descent near the south summit of Mt. Everest due to severe weather conditions.
In Nepal, Pasang Lhamu has been honored as a National Luminary, with the Jasamba Mountain (7,315m) in the Mahalangur Range named Pasang Lhamu Mountain, and the 117 km-long highway from Trishuli to Dhunche named Pasang Lhamu Highway. Her legacy is further commemorated with postage stamps issued in her name.
Thamserku Trekking remarked, "We're thrilled to share that the US Geological Survey has named a lunar crater after Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, the first Nepali woman to summit Mt. Everest. Her legacy continues to inspire, now reaching beyond Earth to the lunar surface, shining brightly on the Moon's South Pole."
