KATHMANDU, Nepal–Nepali women climbers have already made history by scaling Mount K2, the second highest peak in the world. Three aspirant women climbers– Maya Sherpa, Dawa Yangzum Sherpa and Pasang Lhamu Sherpa – successfully ascended Mt K2 two weeks ago. The team has said that their K2 expedition for climate change was a grand success.
After making a vertical ascent from the K2 base camp, the team reached at Camp 4 on 25 July. They started their final climb at midnight from Camp 4 and reached the summit of K2 the next afternoon, according to a release by ICIMOD one of the founding organizations for the team. The team stayed at the summit for only ten minutes due to deteriorating weather conditions.
The ICIMOD banner was displayed at the summit along with those of other organizations which financially supported the team.
K2 is known among climbers as one of the most technically difficult peaks in the world. Ascents on even the easiest route require crossing a complicated glacier, ascending steep sections of rock, and negotiating a path around a series of ice pillars called seracs, which are prone to collapse without warning.
Upon their return to Kathmandu, the team will deliver a seminar to share their findings and experiences including their observations and interactions with communities about climate change and their experience as women leaders, according to ICIMOD.