Conquering Everest for 7 times: Lhakpa Sherpa

Lhakpa is the first Nepali woman to summit Everest successfully for seven times. She first conquered Mt. Everest in 2000. Pasang Lhamu was the first Nepali woman to reach the top of Mt. Everest but died on the way down.

The 42 year old is one of 11 children, and was born in Nepal’s eastern Sankhuwasabha district where the world’s fifth highest mountain, Makalu, is located. Her adventurous story has been featured in Outsideonline.com and the issue raised by the adventurous website is genuine saying “Lhakpa Sherpa has climbed Everest more than any other woman and now she’s on the mountain trying for her seventh summit. So why doesn’t anyone know her name?”

She is Rock-Keti in real sense. She is mother of two lovely daughters. Her broken marriage and 11 years in abusive relationship never drown her down. Instead she spoke about her relationship where she had been humiliated and experienced physical violence at the hands of her husband. Her husband had multiple times threatened her that if she took his girls away, “First I will kill you, and then girls, and them myself.” She filed a case against him. He’s since been convicted of the first charge, found not guilty of the second, and given a six-month suspended sentence and a year of probation.

We, Nepalis have not heard about her yet. She is courageous Nepali woman. Mt. Everest summit is her dream. Lhakpa appealed to the government and to dozens of corporate sponsors to fun an all-Sherpa women’s expedition. She managed to overcome her deteriorating relationship and heading to her extraordinary accomplishments climbing Everest a record number to times shows the resilience and determination she possesses. You can also read an interesting article on Lhakpa covered by Girl Talk HQ.

The article on Outside Online also talks about an article points to a 2013 ESPN.com article which names American woman Melissa Arnot as “either the most accomplished female Everest Climb ever, or the most accomplished non-Sherpa woman. (A Nepali named Lhakpa Sherpa is said to have from four to six Everest summits)”

Despite of her marvelous outrageous achievement she is not even mentioned in the Wikipedia page for specific types of Everest accomplishments made by specific groups like the first twins to complete the summit, for example. Outside Online speculated it could be because the Sherpas the climb Everest are not often thought of on the same level as outsiders who come to attempt the climb.

Lhakpa really deserves acknowledgment from our nation. She has overcome domestic violence and accomplished her 7th summit to Everest successfully. Rockets & Space team would like her to congratulate for her historic feat.