Dawa Yangzum first Nepali woman to complete 14 peaks

KATHMANDU: Dawa Yangzum Sherpa has become the first Nepali woman to summit all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks.

Sherpa reached the summit of her 14th eight-thousander, Mt. Shishapangma in Tibet, on Wednesday, according to her expedition organizer, Climbalaya Treks & Expeditions.

Along with Dawa Yangzum, Bharat Thammineni (India), Anna Lee (USA), He Jing (China), Mingma Tenzing Sherpa (Nepal), Nima Nuru Sherpa (Nepal), and Da Chhiring Sherpa (Nepal) also reached the summit of Shishapangma on October 9.

The 33-year-old, who is also the first Asian woman to be an IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide, summited her first eight-thousander, Mt. Everest, in 2012. She successfully climbed Cho Oyu and K2 in 2014. However, it was after her ascent of Makalu in 2019 that she committed to completing all 14 peaks.

Dawa Yangzum climbed four eight-thousanders—Manaslu, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Lhotse—in 2021. She summited Kanchenjunga and Broad Peak in 2022, and reached the tops of Gasherbrum I, Gasherbrum II, and Nanga Parbat in 2023.

Dawa, who is also the second vice president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, serves as a brand ambassador for leading companies such as Rolex, The North Face, Leki, and Oakley.

Dawa Yangzum’s 14 Summits

1. Everest – 2012
2. K2 – 2014
3. Makalu – 2019
4. Manaslu – 2021
5. Annapurna – 2021
6. Dhaulagiri – 2021
7. Lhotse – 2021
8. Kanchanjunga – 2022
9. Broad Peak – 2022
10. Gasherbrum I – 2023
11. Gasherbrum II – 2023
12. Nanga Parbat – 2023
13. Cho Oyu – 2023
14. Shishapangma – 2024