Nirmal Purja, a Nepali mountaineer and a former British Marine, has climbed the world’s tallest 14 peaks in a record six months. Thus, he broke the previous record for the feat, which was under eight years.
Purja’s accomplishment seems astonishing and unbelievable considering the margin by which he has broken the previous record.
The 36-year-old Purja reached the summit of the 14th mountain – Shishapangma in China on 29th October 2019, completing his ascent of all the 14 peaks.
Purja, a former member of the Gurkhas, joined the British Army in 2003 and became a Royal Marine in 2009.
“MISSION ACHIEVED !” says @nimsdai from the summit of #Shishapangma #14peaks7months #History
At 8:58 hrs local time, Nims and his team reached the summit of Shisha Pangma. Team Members includes: Mingma David Sherpa, Galjen Sherpa and Gesman Tamang.#BremontProjectPossible pic.twitter.com/PeYUVQ7RnL
— Nirmal Purja MBE (@nimsdai) October 29, 2019
There are 14 mountains in the world that are over 8,000 metres tall. Here is a chronology of his ascent of the various peaks.
- Annapurna, Nepal, summit reached 23 April
- Dhaulagiri, Nepal, 12 May
- Kanchenjunga, Nepal, 15 May
- Everest, Nepal, 22 May
- Lhotse, Nepal, 22 May
- Makalu, Nepal, 24 May
- Nanga Parbat, Pakistan, 3 July
- Gasherbrum 1, Pakistan, 15 July
- Gasherbrum 2, Pakistan, 18 July
- K2, Pakistan, 24 July
- Broad Peak, Pakistan, 26 July
- Cho Oyu, China, 23 September
- Manaslu, Nepal, 27 September
- Shishapangma, China, 29 October
Purja’s website says the previous mountaineer to have achieved this feat was Polish climber Jerzy Kukucza, who finished the challenge in 1987 in 7 years, 11 months and 14 days. However, the website of the British Mountaineering Council’s website says the record-holder was South Korean Kim Chang-ho, with a time of seven years, 10 months and six days.
Isn’t this an amazing feat? What do you think?
