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Lhakpa Sherpa, is a pioneer in the world of extreme mountaineering.  As the middle child of 11 children, is not only the first Nepali woman to successfully summit Mount Everest, but the first woman to successfully summit the world’s highest mountain ten times, beating her own world record again in 2022 for most Everest summits by any woman in the world.  In 2016, she was listed as one of the BBC's 100 Women, one of the most inspirational and influential women in the world    

Her interest in climbing began at a very young age, where she would often join her father on his expeditions as a porter in the Makalu region in the Nepalese Himalayas. Her mother discouraged this behavior, calling her a “tomboy” and claiming that she would never get married. Lhakpa’s passion for the mountain proved to be stronger than the social norms of the town she grew up in. Eventually, she summited Mt. Everest on May 18, 2000 - the first woman to do so successfully. Once, however, was not enough. Lhakpa’s love and respect for nature and the mountain encouraged her to keep climbing each year, where she then met her then-husband, and relocated to Connecticut in 2002 where his business was located.

For the past 20 years, the Nepali native has lived in West Hartford, where she spends her time working and training for her next summit. Lhakpa has climbed numerous other peaks throughout the Himalayas and she shares her knowledge and strength by serving as a guide for other climbers. Recently, Lhakpa started her own guiding service, Cloudscape Climbing, which she operates in New England and the Himalayas.

Lhakpa’s achievements have not only started a shift in Sherpa culture and inspired more women in Nepal and New England to climb, but have also marked her as a symbol of strength for women all over the world. Lhakpa’s courage and motivation are evident in her children:  her son, Nima, and two daughters, Sunny and Shiny. Shiny, while only 15 years old, has already conquered some difficult climbs. Speaking of her experience, Lhakpa says:  “I felt like I’d changed Sherpa culture, the status of Sherpa women and Nepali women.  I enjoyed being outside of my home and I wanted to share that feeling with all women.”  “I’ve had a challenging life, she added.  Mountains made me happy and relaxed.  I will never give up.  I want young women not to give up.”

Related Links:

https://cloudscapeclimbing.com/