KATHMANDU, JANUARY 26
Tsum Nubri Rural Municipality of Gorkha district today felicitated record-holding mountaineers including fastest female Everesteer for their inspiring role in promoting Nepal's adventure tourism in the world.
Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Pandey and Nima Lama, Chairperson of the Rural Municipality along with the distinguished personalities honoured Phunjo Jhangmu Lama of Gorkha, who set the world record scaling the world's highest peak in just 14.5 hours. In 2024, Phunjo set the world records scaling Everest in 14 hours and 31 minutes and returning to the base camp in a total 24 hours and 26 minutes on May 23.
The trailblazing mountaineer and Himali Outdoor Athlete Phunjo, who is the first Nepali female helicopter long-line rescuer, had already been awarded with the Tenzing-Hilary award by the government.
Born in Chhokangpaaro village of Tsum valley in Gorkha, Phunjo scaled Mt Everest, Mt Manaslu, Mt Cho Oyu and other peaks including Amadablam, Lobuche and Denali. She has also supported rural communities for their livelihood.
Similarly, Minister Pandey felicitated mountaineers including Nangsal Choedon Lama, Diki Lhamu Lama, Nanu Maya Gurung, Yukta Gurung and Mingmar T Lama as well as other personalities from Gorkha district.
The felicitation programme was organised in coordination with the Nepal Tourism Board and Nepal Mountaineering Association, according to Chairperson Lama.
On the occasion, Minister Pandey, NMA President Nima Nuru Sherpa and RM chair Lama among other guests congratulated all mountaineers for their successes on different mountains.
Climber Mingmar T Lama said that locals were facing hardships in the restricted area as the government failed to address their demands. Other climbers also shared their climbing experiences.
