Kathmandu: Seven years have passed since a formidable group of Nepali women made history by summiting the world’s highest peak, Sagarmatha, in a single climbing season. Among the 19 women from different backgrounds who scaled Sagarmatha (Mt Everest), 17 reached the summit, thereby making Guinness World Records.
According to National News Agency Nepal, on May 23, 2018, this scribe was one of those 17 Nepali women who made it to the top of the mountain, also known as the ‘Top of the World’. Surviving a fatal fall on the Hillary Step, a 12-meter-tall rocky outcrop on the south-east ridge of the mountain while descending, has allowed reflection on the expedition after all these years.
The recollection begins as the team descended to the lower camps from Camp IV at 8,000 meters, where the Death Zone begins due to low oxygen levels. The summit’s saga was propelled by a personal resolution to make 2018 a standout year with a meaningful challenge, which turned out to be a bold statement in many ways.
Having worked at Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS), the routine translation and editing left a yearning for a challenge that would test limits and redefine identity. Climbing Sagarmatha seemed fitting for someone born in the lap of the Himalayas, and the idea gained momentum after the demise of Junko Tabei, the first woman to achieve the feat. The aspiration was not only to climb Everest but to do so with fellow women journalists, promoting a unified voice for equity.
The journey to the summit began with conversations and brainstorming with fellow women media persons, challenging societal norms and highlighting the strength of Nepali women. Despite initial enthusiasm, the team dwindled as the expedition date approached, leaving five determined members, dubbed the ‘Pancha Kanya’ by the then Head of State Bidya Devi Bhandari.
The planning phase, team-building, logistics discussions, rigorous training, fundraising, media campaigning, and post-expedition initiatives were filled with optimism. The goal was not just to reach the summit but also to use the achievement to inspire aspiring women and elevate voices across Nepal’s newsrooms.
The climb itself involved overcoming shortcomings and logistical challenges. Despite being cash-strapped initially, the team managed to secure support from international agencies, the government, and local levels, thanks to their collective effort.
The physical and mental challenges during the expedition were immense, but perseverance led to standing on the top of the world. However, the hardest part came after the descent, as fame, vanity, and personal ambitions impacted the unity formed during the climb.
Reflecting on the journey, the real summit wasn’t just reaching the peak but overcoming self-doubts, societal expectations, gender biases, and personal limitations. The experience was a powerful reminder that extraordinary feats are within the reach of ordinary women, encouraging every girl and woman to pursue their dreams with purpose and persistence.