Born in Makalu, Nepal
Lhakpa Sherpa
ल्हाक्पा शेर्पा
Mountaineer with the record for most Everest summits by a woman (11)
About
Lhakpa Sherpa began climbing as a porter. In 2000, she made history as the first Nepali woman to reach the top of Mount Everest and return safely. She has since climbed the mountain eleven times overall, more than any other woman.
In 2022, she extended her own record with a crowdfunded tenth climb, paid for with money raised from many people online. This climb surpassed the summit count of her late former husband. Her journey, from the Khumbu region to working in the United States and back to the mountain, was told in the Netflix documentary Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa.
Quick facts
- Born
- 1973
- Birthplace
- Makalu, Nepal
- Profession
- Mountaineer
- Nationality
- Nepal
- Status
- Alive
Career & life timeline
- 1973
- 2000-05-18
Became the first Nepali woman to summit Mount Everest and survive the descent
- 2003
Summited Everest with her sister Ming Kipa and brother Mingma Gelu
- 2022-05-12
Reached the summit for a record-breaking tenth time, financed by a crowdfunding campaign
- 2024
A Netflix documentary about her tenth summit, Mountain Queen, won the Grand Prize at the Kendal Mountain Festival
Achievements
Most Everest summits by a woman
Eleven successful ascents, a record she has repeatedly extended
First Nepali woman to climb and descend Everest safely
2000
Last updated: 2026-09-06