KATHMANDU, July 27: Imagine being on the top of the world, where the horizon stretches infinitely in all directions and the sense of accomplishment washes over you as you stand atop a majestic peak. One such intrepid soul who knows this feeling all too well is photojournalist Purnima Shrestha. With each summit she conquers, Purnima's passion for mountaineering takes her to incredible heights; her triumph on the deadliest Mount K2 on Thursday further stiffened her place among the elite few who have dared to reach the summit of Earth's most challenging peaks.
Purnima, a seasoned mountaineer, had already left an enduring mark on the mountaineering world with her previous accomplishments. Having conquered seven 8,000-meter-high mountains in Nepal, she set a record as Nepal's fastest woman to achieve this feat when she summited the top of Mt Makalu (8,463m) on May 27, 2022, guided by the experienced 8K Expedition Mountain Guide, Lakpa Norbu Sherpa.
Her journey to the summits began in 2017 when she set foot in Everest Base Camp to cover the Everest Marathon. This expedition ignited her fascination with the mountains, leading her to embark on her mountaineering career with the ascent of Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world. Despite lacking prior experience or training in mountaineering, Purnima's passion and determination drove her to conquer Mount Everest in 2018, followed by Ama Dablam in the subsequent year.
In 2021, she achieved yet another significant milestone when she, along with six other women, reached the peak of Annapurna, becoming the first Nepali women to accomplish this extraordinary feat. Furthermore, she and Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Akita made history by becoming the first women to successfully climb Dhaulagiri, the seventh highest mountain in the world, in October 2021.
Purnima's latest endeavor to summit Mount K2 began about one and a half months ago, with over 40 mountaineers participating in the expedition. Led by the experienced Nepali Mountaineer, Lakpa Sherpa of 8K Expedition, the team encountered numerous challenges due to unfavorable weather conditions. The expedition faced unpredictable weather patterns, making the climb even riskier on the notoriously unforgiving K2. However, their unwavering determination drove them forward, finally culminating in Purnima Shrestha's triumphant summit of the Savage Mountain.
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Shristi Kafle, a close friend of Purnima Shrestha, shared insights into the team's challenging journey. "This time, the weather forecasts betrayed us, raising the risk factor for conquering the deadly K2. For one and a half months, the team patiently waited for a favorable opportunity to make their daring ascent. Today was the final day to take a leap of faith, as it was the only viable chance to summit K2 for this season; otherwise, they would have to return." The expedition's determination reached its pinnacle as they took on the ultimate challenge. Kafle revealed that Purnima Shrestha's ambitions didn't stop at K2; she was supposed to summit the Broad Peak, although the plan remained subject to finalization.
According to travel company Pioneer Adventure, K2 Expedition bravely moved forward from Camp II, ascending towards Camp III. “Despite their unwavering determination, the expedition has encountered their share of setbacks. This season, the weather has proven to be particularly problematic and unpredictable, catching even seasoned teams off guard and thwarting their summit plans. The unforgiving nature of K2 has made it all the more challenging for our climbers this year,” the company said.
8000 meter peak accomplished by Purnima Shrestha :
1. Mt Manaslu (8163m) Summit schedule for 26 September 2017
2. Mt. Everest (8848.86m) summit schedule for 19 May 2018
3. Annapurna I (8,091 m) Summit schedule for 16 April 2021
4. Dhaulagiri I (8167m) Summit schedule for 01 October 2021
5. Kangchenjunga (8586 m) schedule for 05 May 2022
6. Lhotse (8,516m) Summit schedule for 16 May 2022
7. Makalu (8,481m) summit schedule for 27 May 2022
8. K2 (8,611m) schedule for 27 July 2023
With her name now included among the few Nepali women who have summited K2, Purnima Shrestha's achievements stand as an inspiration to mountaineers and adventurers worldwide. As she basks in the glory of conquering the formidable K2, the world eagerly awaits her future endeavors, as she continues to push boundaries and set new heights in the world of mountaineering.
