Meet ‘Mountain Queen’ Lhakpa Sherpa, who climbed Mount Everest 11 times, even once while pregnant; Here’s why she wants to continue climbing until 80
His remarkable achievement is even more remarkable considering the challenges he faced throughout his life. Growing up in a remote village in Nepal where girls were not educated, Sherpa continued to defy expectations, even working as a house cleaner between expeditions in the United States.
Speaking to the BBC, he said he did not plan to stop climbing anytime soon.
“If I’m healthy, I want to climb Everest by the time I’m 80.”
Lhakpa Sherpa says he wants to climb Everest by the age of 80
According to the BBC, Sherpa has balanced motherhood, work and mountaineering throughout her life.
Recalling the sacrifices she made, she said: “I even went to Everest when I was pregnant.”
She added that climbing naturally took a backseat after becoming a mother. “Then I took on the role of mother for a long time. Otherwise, I would have summited Everest 30 times.”
Sherpa said he gave up climbing Everest for nearly 15 years before making a successful return.
“I took a break from climbing Everest for almost 15 years.”
He returned to the mountain and increased his record to 11 summits after completing his 10th successful ascent in 2022.
From washing dishes to breaking Everest records
Despite being one of the world’s most successful climbers, Sherpa told the BBC he never saw ordinary tasks as anything below him.
He worked various jobs in the United States to support himself and his family between Everest expeditions.
“Even between expeditions to climb Everest, I was washing dishes, cleaning houses and taking on whatever chores came my way in the US.”
He added: “Some people might think: ‘Oh, I’ve climbed Everest two or three times and I’m not going to do the dishes.’ I don’t care about that kind of thing.”
His comments highlight the contrast between his global successes and his day-to-day work away from the mountains.
Who is Lhakpa Sherpa?
According to the BBC, Lhakpa Sherpa was born in a remote village 13,000 feet above sea level in the Makalu region of Nepal.
He belongs to the Sherpa ethnic community, whose ancestors migrated from Tibet and are known for their ability to live and work in the high Himalayas.
Speaking about his early life, he told the broadcaster: “I was born in a cave.”
He added: “I don’t even know my date of birth.”
Growing up, Sherpa spent much of his childhood carrying his younger siblings to school and walking long distances. However, she was not allowed to attend classes, as girls in her community were often not allowed to receive an education.
How did Lhakpa Sherpa become the ‘Mountain Queen’?
Although he had no formal mountaineering training as a child, Sherpa taught himself the skills needed to climb some of the world’s highest peaks.
Her perseverance paid off in 2003, when she became the first woman to climb Mount Everest three times.
Since then, she has continued to push the boundaries of women’s mountaineering, eventually breaking the record for the most Everest summits by any woman.
Her achievements earned her the nickname “Mountain Queen”, inspiring climbers around the world.
A dream that’s not over yet
While many athletes retire after reaching the peak of their careers, Sherpa says he still has unfinished business on the world’s highest mountain.
When his daughters asked him when he planned to stop climbing, his answer was simple.
“If I’m healthy, I want to climb Everest by the time I’m 80.”
For Lhakpa Sherpa, climbing Everest has never been just about breaking records. It was about proving that determination, endurance and hard work can overcome even the biggest obstacles.
Inputs from TOI
