Nima Rinji Sherpa’s journey to summiting all 14 of the world’s highest peaks at such a young age is more than a personal achievement ,It’s a moment of pride for Nepal and a testament to the strength of Nepali Sherpa climbers. Nepal has been the heart of mountaineering, home to legendary climbers and the world’s tallest peaks. Now, a new generation is carrying that legacy forward.
Bibisha Tamang
Tue Feb 04 2025
In the last few months, international media outlets have been buzzing about a young climber who has made a huge mark on the world stage. This 18-year-old from Nepal has done what many thought was impossible he has become the youngest person ever to climb all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters. Once again, Nepal has captured the world’s attention, showcasing its rich climbing legacy through this remarkable achievement. IN just over two years Nima Rinji Sherpa scaled all 14 of planet’s peaks above 8000m .
Nepal’s Climbing Legacy
Nepal, home to eight of the world’s 14 tallest mountains, has long been a hub for climbers from around the globe. Since Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa reached the summit of Mt. Everest in 1953, the country has been a symbol of mountaineering excellence. Over the years, Nepal’s mountaineering history has proven that Nepaleses aren’t just guides but athletes, capable of achieving feats beyond imagination. Now, a new name has been added to this proud history Nima Rinji Sherpa. At just 18 years old, he has become the youngest climber to conquer all the peaks above 8,000 meters, continuing the tradition of Nepal’s climbing greatness.
Nima Rinji Sherpa was born on June 16, 2006, in Makalu, Nepal, into a family where mountaineering was a way of life. His father, Tashi Lakpa Sherpa, is a climber and CEO of 14 Peaks Expedition, a company that played a big role in inspiring Nima to pursue high-altitude climbing. Growing up surrounded by the towering Himalayas, Nima was motivated not only by his father’s stories of the mountains but also by the desire to break boundaries and prove that Sherpas are not just support climbers they can be pioneers too.
Despite all his success, Nima remains deeply connected to his Sherpa roots. Through his “SherpaPower” campaign, he aims to show that Sherpas are strong, resilient, and capable of taking on leadership roles in the world of mountaineering. Nima hopes to inspire other young to follow in his footsteps, proving that with determination, anything is possible.
A Record-Breaking Career
Nima’s journey to becoming the youngest person to climb all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters began when he was just 18 years old. In 2022, he reached the summit of Mt. Manaslu (8,163 meters), a massive accomplishment for someone so young. But he didn’t stop there. By 17, he had already climbed Mt. Everest (8,848 meters) and Mt. Lhotse (8,516 meters) in a record-breaking 10-hour ascent.
In 2023, Nima became the youngest climber to summit Nanga Parbat (8,125 meters). Within a month, he had climbed Gasherbrum I, Gasherbrum II, Broad Peak, and K2 all part of his extraordinary journey to the top of the world’s highest peaks.
Finally, in October 2024, Nima made history by climbing the last of the 14 peaks, Mt. Shishapangma (8,027 meters) cementing his place as the youngest person ever to complete the challenge. He broke the previous record held by his uncle, Mingma Gyabu Sherpa, who completed the feat at 30.
Nima expressed a desire to change the global perception of Nepal’s Sherpas.
“I dedicate this world record to my project, SherpaPower. This summit is not just the culmination of my personal journey, but a tribute to every Sherpa who has ever dared to dream beyond the traditional boundaries set for us. Mountaineering is more than labour; it is a testament to our strength, resilience, and passion,” he wrote on his social media recently .
Nima Rinji's Climbing Record
Manaslu - 30 September 2022
Everest - 24 May 2023
Lhotse - 25 May 2023
Nanga Parbat - 26 June 2023
Gasherbrum I - 18 July 2023
Gasherbrum II - 19 July 2023
Broad Peak - 23 July 2023
K2 - 27 July 2023
Dhaulagiri - 29 September 2023
Cho-Oyu - 6 October 2023
Annapurna I - 12 April 2024 (No O2)
Makalu - 4 May 2024
Kanchenjunga - 8 June 2024
Shishapangma – 9 October 2024
A large portion of Nepali climbers come from the Sherpa ethnic group, renowned for their exceptional skills in high altitude mountaineering. Nima’s journey is not just about breaking records it’s about proving what’s possible when talent, determination, and opportunity come together, even at a young age. He stands as a symbol of resilience, showing that Nepal’s mountaineering legacy is still being written, with new records continuously set by Nepali climbers.
At just 18, Nima Rinji Sherpa has already achieved what many spend a lifetime striving for. The world is watching, eager to see what he will conquer next. And Nepal takes great pride in what he has accomplished, not just for himself but for the entire Nepali climbing community.
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