Nirmal ‘Nims’ Purja sets world record scaling 14 peaks in just over 6 months

KATHMANDU: A Nepali climber has set the world record scaling all 14 mountains above 8,000 m in just over six months.

Nirmal ‘Nims’ Purja (36) along with his team of Project Possible successfully stood atop Mt Shishapangma this morning completing his 14th eight-thousander, Mingma Sherpa, Managing Director at Climbalaya Treks told THT from the base camp.

“Purja-led team comprising four other members scaled the mountain at around 9:30 am,” Sherpa, who managed the base camp for the historic expedition, said.

Purja along with Mingma David Sherpa, Gesman Tamang, Gyalzen Sherpa and Jangbu Sherpa reaches the summit point of 8,027-metre peak after they found a fair window, he informed.

Purja made an enviable world record in the history of mountain climbing as he scaled 14 peaks in just over six months. The current records for such attempt are seven years, 10 months and six days by Korean climber Kim Chang-ho in 2013 and seven years, 11 months and 14 days by Polish climber Jerzy Kukuczka in 1987.

Purja and his team obtained a special climbing permit from China Tibet Mountaineering Association to complete his third phase of the Project Possible. China has, however, closed Shishapangma for other climbers this season.

Purja, who climbed Mt Manaslu as his 13th eight-thousander in just 158 days last month, has already set multiple world records in the history of mountain climbing.

Renowned climber Mingma David Sherpa has also become the youngest climber to complete all 14 peaks at the age of 30 years, Sherpa said. He also holds set the world record in speed climbing by successfully scaling Mt Everest and K2 in just 61 days in 2018.

Purna, the former UK’s Special Forces member, began his ‘Project Possible’ in April to complete all 14 peaks by November.

Purja was the first Gurkha to join the elite Special Boat Service and already has multiple world records for speed climbing to his name.

Mountaineering world believes that Purja’s project is one of a kind which tests the human endurance to its limit. Purja has pushed the limits of human potential in mountaineering, according to the expedition operators.

 

Purja’s Summit Record:

  1. Mt Shishapangma - October 29
  2. Mt Manaslu – September 27
  3. Cho Oyu – September 23
  4. Broad Peak – July 26
  5. Mt K2 – July 24
  6. Gasherbrum II – July 18
  7. Gasherbrum I – July 15
  8. Nanga Parbat – July 03
  9. Mt Makalu – May 24
  10. Mt Everest – May 22
  11. Mt Lhotse – May 22
  12. Mt Kanchenjunga – May 15
  13. Mt Dhaulagiri – May 12
  14. Mt Annapurna – April 23