Phunjo becomes fastest woman to reach Everest summit

KATHMANDU: Phunjo Lama of Gorkha has set the record for the fastest ascent of Everest by a woman, reaching the summit (8.848.46 meters) in 14 hours and 31 minutes.

Phunjo started her ascent from the base camp at 3:52 pm on Wednesday and reached the summit at 6:23 am on Thursday, according to her expedition company Climbing the Seven Summits.

A mountain guide by profession, Phunjo smashed the record of 25 hours and 50 minutes set by Ada Tsang Yin-Yung of Hong Kong in 2021. Ada broke Funjo’s record of 39 hours and six minutes set in 2018.

Lakpa Gelu Sherpa holds the record for the fastest ascent of Mt Everest, reaching the summit of the highest peak on earth in 10 hours and 56 minutes in 2003.