Lakpa Sherpa breaks own record, scales Everest for fifth time

Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, June 7:

In another record-breaking spree, Lakpa Sherpa, has become the first woman to scale the world’s highest peak five times. She broke her own record on June 2 by reaching the top from the North Face, Tibet. Lakpa who currently lives in the US said: “Mountaineering is a sport for me, I’m physically fit and I will come back next year to attempt to scale the Everest.” She said this at a felicitation programme of mountaineers organised by the Asian Trekking and Tours here today. She said she hasn’t thought about climbing all the 14 eight-thousanders but plans to continue climbing the Everest. According to her, Nepalis should continue creating records in the mountaineering arena. “Although I live in the US, I am a Nepali citizen and I will always retain my Nepali citizenship,” she said. Apa, on the other hand, said that he was not sure if he would climb again.”

The Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) president, Ang Tsering Sherpa, today felicitated Apa Sherpa who holds a record number of ascents of the world’s highest peak, Lakpa, the five times Everest summiteer, George Dijmarescu, the seven times summiteer, among other mountaineers. Ang Tsering Sherpa said that he was honoured to felicitate both the record- holders at the same time. “When Lakpa approached me in 1998 with her climbing intentions, I never thought she would become a record-holder. She finally climbed the Everest in 2000 and there is no looking back,” he said.