Purnima Shrestha, a record-breaking Nepali mountaineer and photojournalist, captivated an audience in New York City with an inspiring account of her journey. She shared how she went from a small village in Nepal to summiting Mount Everest five times, including an unprecedented three ascents in a single season. Speaking at a community event, Shrestha shared her story of resilience, determination, and breaking barriers as a woman in high-altitude mountaineering.
Born in Arughat, Gorkha, Shrestha, a proud Newar, began her career as a photojournalist. She captured Nepal’s natural beauty and events like the Everest Marathon in 2017. It was her visit to Everest Base Camp that ignited her passion for mountaineering. “I come from a representative village,” she said, addressing the audience. “When I tell my story, I share the mountains I’ve climbed and the journey that brought me here.”
Despite having no prior mountaineering experience, Shrestha’s determination led her to summit Manaslu, the world’s eighth-highest peak, in 2017. “I had no training, just a dream,” she admitted, recalling how she rode a horse to base camp and faced skepticism from peers. Undeterred, she went on to conquer Everest in 2018, battling snow blindness at the summit. “I was crying and laughing, overwhelmed by the struggle and the view,” she shared.
Shrestha’s most remarkable feat came in 2024, when she became the first woman to summit Everest three times in 13 days (May 12, 19, and 25). This record earned her a spot on CNN’s “Extreme Athletes of 2024” list. She summited again in 2025, marking her fifth Everest ascent, which was organized by Satori Adventures. Her achievements also include scaling eight of the world’s 14 peaks above 8,000 meters, such as K2, Annapurna I, and Dhaulagiri, where she was part of the first Nepali women’s team to summit in 2021.
At the NYC event, Shrestha highlighted the challenges she faced, particularly as a woman from a rural background. “Many asked if I was Sherpa, assuming a Newar girl couldn’t climb,” she said. Financial hurdles were significant; she funded her expeditions through loans, community contributions, and even dowry money. “Each student at my school in Gorkha gave 5 rupees to help me climb Everest,” she revealed, underscoring the collective support that fueled her journey.
Shrestha also paid tribute to the Sherpa guides who were instrumental in her success, including Phura Temba Sherpa, Pasang Sherpa, and Karma Gyaljen Sherpa. “Without Sherpas, climbing is impossible. They are the heroes behind the curtain,” she said, emphasizing the teamwork required in mountaineering.
Her speech resonated with the audience, particularly the Nepali diaspora, who she thanked for their warmth and support in the U.S. Shrestha’s story of overcoming physical, financial, and societal challenges inspired attendees. “Geography and caste don’t matter when you have passion,” she said. “Even if you fail, try again. The mountains taught me that.”
Looking ahead, Shrestha plans to tackle the remaining six of the 14 highest peaks, including those outside Nepal. “Everest feels like home, but it’s never easy,” she said, reflecting on her fifth climb in 2025. Her message to the audience was clear: “Dream big, work hard, and never give up.”
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Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
