Kathmandu: Tsum Nubri Rural Municipality in Gorkha district celebrated Nepal’s mountaineering achievements by felicitating record-setting climbers, including Phunjo Jhangmu Lama, the fastest female to scale Mount Everest.
Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Badri Pandey and municipality chairperson Nima Lama led the event, recognizing the climbers’ contributions to promoting Nepal’s adventure tourism. Phunjo Jhangmu Lama, a Himali Outdoor Athlete and Nepal’s first female helicopter long-line rescuer, was honored for her extraordinary feat of scaling Everest in just 14 hours and 31 minutes and returning to base camp within 24 hours and 26 minutes in May 2024.
Born in Chhokangpaaro village of Tsum Valley, Phunjo has conquered Mt. Everest, Mt. Manaslu, Mt. Cho Oyu, and other peaks, earning the Tenzing-Hillary Award. Beyond climbing, she has supported rural communities in Gorkha.
Other accomplished climbers from Gorkha, including Nangsal Choedon Lama, Diki Lhamu Lama, Nanu Maya Gurung, Yukta Gurung, and Mingmar T Lama, were also recognized during the event organized in collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board and the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA).
Minister Pandey and NMA President Nima Nuru Sherpa praised the climbers’ efforts to elevate Nepal’s global reputation in mountaineering. However, Mingmar T Lama highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by locals in restricted areas, urging the government to address their concerns.
The event celebrated the climbers’ inspiring achievements and shed light on the need for continued support for mountain communities.