Pasang Lhamu Sherpa was a pioneer and an inspiration to women in Nepal and around the world as she paved the way for countless others to follow in her footsteps. It is the anniversary of her successful summit of Mount Everest, which she achieved on April 22nd, 1993, becoming the first Nepalese woman to reach the top of the world’s highest mountain.

On this day, we pay tribute to Pasang Lhamu, an extraordinary mountaineer who paved the way for women in the world of high-altitude climbing.

Pasang Lhamu was born into a family of Sherpa mountaineers in the Khumbu region of Nepal, where the towering peaks of the Himalayas were a constant presence. From a young age, she showed a remarkable aptitude for climbing and was soon drawn to the challenge of scaling the world’s highest mountains.

In 1993, after a couple of unsuccessful attempts previously, Pasang Lhamu joined a Japanese expedition to Mount Everest, determined to fulfill her lifelong dream of reaching the summit. Despite facing numerous challenges, including high altitude sickness and severe weather conditions, she pushed on relentlessly, spurred on by her unshakeable determination and unwavering faith in her abilities.

Finally, on April 22nd, 1993, Pasang Lhamu stood at the top of Mount Everest, her arms raised triumphantly in the air, marking a historic moment not only for herself but for all women climbers around the world. Her achievement shattered stereotypes and opened up new possibilities for women in the field of mountaineering, inspiring a whole generation of female climbers to follow in her footsteps.

Tragically, Pasang Lhamu’s joy was short-lived. On her descent from the summit, she was caught in a blizzard and suffered severe frostbite. Despite the valiant efforts of her team to save her life, she ultimately succumbed to her injuries, becoming the first Nepalese woman to die on Everest.

Pasang Lhamu’s legacy, however, lives on. Her bravery, determination, and trailblazing spirit continue to inspire climbers around the world, and her pioneering achievements have opened doors for women in mountaineering that were once thought hard to achieve. Today, we honor her memory and celebrate her incredible legacy, which will continue to inspire generations to come.