Lhakpa Sherpa Biography: The Woman Who Climbed Everest 11 Times

Lhakpa Sherpa is a Nepali mountaineer and mountain guide who holds the world record for the most successful ascents of Mount Everest by a woman. She reached the summit for the 11th time on May 17, 2026. Guinness World Records has officially recorded her achievement as the 11th successful Everest ascent by a woman.

Another historic milestone in her mountaineering career came in 2000, when she became the first Nepali woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest and return safely. Earlier, in 1993, Pasang Lhamu Sherpa had become the first Nepali woman to reach Everest's summit, but she died during the descent. The distinction between being the first to reach the summit and the first to return safely is therefore important.

Raised in the Makalu region of Sankhuwasabha district, Lhakpa began her professional life in supporting roles with Himalayan trekking groups. She later led Everest expeditions and established a world record. Her biography also includes documented experiences of raising a family, earning a living, taking a long break from mountaineering, and eventually returning to the mountains.

Lhakpa Sherpa: Quick Facts

Guinness World Records lists Lhakpa's date of birth as September 23, 1973. However, in a 2019 interview with The Guardian, she explained that she had no birth registration, making it difficult to establish her exact age. The date should therefore be understood as the birth date recorded by Guinness World Records, rather than one independently verified through an official birth certificate.

Birthplace, Family, and Childhood

Lhakpa grew up in the Makalu region of eastern Nepal. According to an extensive profile published by The Guardian in 2019, she spent her childhood in the village of Balakharka in the Makalu area. Her family's livelihood was closely connected to the mountain setting, local work, and trekking activities.

According to The Guardian, she grew up in a family of 11 children. Some of her brothers and sisters also became involved in mountaineering. Work associated with Himalayan expeditions was an important source of livelihood for her family and the local community.

Lhakpa did not receive a formal school education. In a 2024 interview with Netflix, she explained that girls in her village did not have the opportunity to attend school. She also confirmed in a 2026 interview with The Kathmandu Post that she had never attended school. There is no available evidence supporting a claim that she earned an academic qualification.

ABC News and other media outlets have reported that Lhakpa carried loads and worked in expedition kitchens during her early years. Through these jobs, she became familiar with the working conditions and daily activities of mountaineering expeditions.

Entry into Mountaineering

Lhakpa's early work involved supporting climbing expeditions. While carrying loads and performing other essential duties, she gained firsthand exposure to how Himalayan expeditions operated. She later began participating in climbing expeditions herself.

There is no reliable basis for linking her professional development to a particular training institution or formal certification. Her mountaineering career is therefore best understood through her practical experience, participation in expeditions, and documented achievements.

The Nepalese Women Millennium Everest Expedition, which she led in 2000, became a defining event in her mountaineering career.

2000: The Historic First Everest Ascent

On May 18, 2000, Lhakpa Sherpa reached the summit of Mount Everest for the first time. She led the expedition registered in the Himalayan Database as the "Nepalese Women Millennium Expedition." The team climbed via Nepal's southern route, using the South Col–Southeast Ridge. The expedition record lists her summit time as 6:30 a.m.

The Himalayan Database identifies Lhakpa as the expedition leader and records her occupation at the time as "Helper in trekking groups." This distinction shows how she progressed from working in a supporting role to leading an Everest expedition. The database records her name with two English spelling variants: "Lakpa/Lhakpa Sherpa."

The expedition included five climbing members and four high-altitude support members. Along with Lhakpa, Ang Pasang Sherpa, Ang Mingma Sherpa, and Ang Phurba Sherpa reached the summit. Their participation highlights the contributions of other climbers and support members alongside her individual achievement.

Pasang Lhamu Sherpa's contribution is also essential to understanding the historical significance of Lhakpa's ascent. Pasang Lhamu became the first Nepali woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 1993. Lhakpa achieved a different milestone in 2000 by becoming the first Nepali woman to reach the summit and descend safely. This distinction is supported by records from the Himalayan Database, Guinness World Records, and The Kathmandu Post.

Lhakpa Sherpa's 11 Successful Everest Ascents: Year-by-Year Record

Records show that Lhakpa successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest 11 times between 2000 and 2026 through different expeditions.

This chronology is based on the list of her previous ascents published by The Kathmandu Post on May 17, 2026, and the Guinness World Records documentation of her 11th ascent.

2003: Reaching Everest's Summit with Her Siblings

In 2003, Lhakpa reached the summit of Mount Everest for the third time. Her younger sister, Ming Kipa Sherpa, and her brother, Mingma Gelu Sherpa, also participated in the expedition. News reports at the time documented the achievement of three siblings from the same family reaching the summit together.

The expedition brought public attention not only to Lhakpa's third ascent but also to the mountaineering participation of her brother and sister.

An ABC News report published in 2003 confirmed that all three reached the summit during the same expedition. The Kathmandu Post also referred to the event in connection with the record of three siblings reaching Everest's summit at the same time.

2004–2006: Three More Successful Ascents

Following her third ascent, Lhakpa successfully climbed Mount Everest in 2004, 2005, and 2006. These three additional summits brought her total to six.

After 2006, she did not summit Everest for approximately a decade. In a 2026 interview with The Kathmandu Post, she explained that she had prioritized caring for her children and earning a living during that period. Her publicly documented account provides the basis for understanding this interruption in her mountaineering career.

2016–2018: Return to Everest and Ninth Ascent

In 2016, Lhakpa reached Everest's summit for the seventh time. Contemporary news reports stated that she completed the ascent from the Tibetan side. Returning to Everest after nearly a decade and extending her previous record marked another significant event in her career.

She completed her eighth Everest ascent in 2017 and her ninth in 2018. According to contemporary reports published by The Himalayan Times, she reached the summit for the eighth time on May 13, 2017, and for the ninth time on May 16, 2018. Both expeditions approached the mountain from the Tibetan side.

During these years, she was also managing employment and family responsibilities in the United States.

2022: Tenth Successful Everest Ascent

On May 12, 2022, Lhakpa reached the summit of Mount Everest for the tenth time, extending her own world record for the most Everest ascents by a woman.

The Kathmandu Post reported her successful ascent that morning, citing information provided by her brother, Mingma Gelu Sherpa.

A documentary production team also recorded the expedition. Her tenth Everest ascent later became one of the central events featured in Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa.

2026: Eleventh Everest Ascent and Updated World Record

On May 17, 2026, Lhakpa completed her 11th successful ascent of Mount Everest. According to Guinness World Records, she reached the summit at 9:30 a.m. local time. The achievement brought her record for the most Everest summits by a woman to 11.

The ascent was confirmed by The Kathmandu Post in a report published on the same day and by Guinness World Records in an article dated June 2, 2026. According to Guinness, both her first and 11th Everest ascents were completed via Nepal's southern route.

In a May 2026 interview with The Kathmandu Post, Lhakpa discussed her experiences with new technology, increasing numbers of climbers, and physical changes she had observed on the mountain. She also explained that she had guided a group of climbers from different countries during that expedition.

These accounts are based on her personal observations and interview statements. They should be understood as a climber's firsthand experiences of changes and challenges on the mountain. Independent scientific research is necessary to establish the causes of environmental changes in the Himalayas.

Successful Ascent of K2

Lhakpa's mountaineering achievements extend beyond Mount Everest. On July 27, 2023, she successfully reached the summit of K2 in Pakistan. K2 is the world's second-highest mountain above sea level, after Mount Everest.

The Himalayan Times, citing the expedition organizer, reported that she reached K2's summit at approximately 11:45 a.m. local time that day.

She had previously attempted to climb K2 in 2010 but did not reach the summit. Her successful ascent in 2023 added another major mountain to her mountaineering record.

Mountain Guiding and Teamwork

Beyond her world record, expedition leadership and guiding climbers are important parts of Lhakpa's professional career.

Guinness World Records described her as a mountain guide in its 2026 profile. The Himalayan Database record of her first Everest ascent also identifies her as the expedition leader.

A mountaineering expedition is not an individual undertaking. Climbers, guides, high-altitude support workers, equipment managers, and other team members have different responsibilities. The record of Lhakpa's 2000 expedition illustrates how such teams operate.

In a 2026 conversation with Guinness World Records, she shared her experiences concerning the responsibilities of Sherpa climbers, including establishing climbing routes and participating in rescue operations.

In an interview with The Kathmandu Post in 2026, Lhakpa also discussed her business, "Hiking with Lhakpa," explaining that her daughters provided administrative support.

This shows that her mountaineering-related work extends beyond personal summit attempts to include client coordination and expedition management.

Life in the United States, Employment, and Family

Lhakpa lived for many years in Connecticut, United States.

According to her public interviews, she worked in retail stores, washed dishes, and cleaned houses while caring for her family. The Guardian reported in 2019 that she was working at a grocery store in Connecticut. In a 2026 interview, Lhakpa recalled various physically demanding jobs she had performed in the past.

These accounts describe her previous employment. In her 2019 interview, she also discussed the difficulties of securing sponsorship and covering the costs of mountaineering expeditions.

Lhakpa has publicly spoken about her experiences of domestic violence and marital difficulties. In the 2024 documentary about her life and a 2026 interview with The Kathmandu Post, she explained how those experiences affected her family responsibilities, employment, and mountaineering career.

In the same interview, she also acknowledged the support she had received from family members in her mountaineering-related work.

Lhakpa Sherpa's Life in the Documentary Mountain Queen

Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa is a documentary about Lhakpa Sherpa's life, directed by Lucy Walker.

The film covers her childhood, mountaineering career, life in the United States, family responsibilities, and tenth Everest ascent in 2022.

The documentary was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023 and released on Netflix in July 2024. Alongside her publicly documented mountaineering achievements, it presents personal experiences recounted by Lhakpa herself.

The documentary received a Peabody Award. The official Peabody Awards records list the film as a 2024 winner. The award was given to the documentary, not to Lhakpa as an individual mountaineering honor.

In a 2024 interview published by Netflix, director Lucy Walker explained that Sherpa members of the expedition team were taught how to use cameras so they could help capture climbing footage. The documentary's production therefore involved contributions from expedition members as well as the director and camera crew.

The film presents Lhakpa's family experiences through her own public accounts. However, the documentary's narrative structure and selection of footage reflect the production team's editorial decisions. Independent records remain important for confirming climbing dates, the number of successful ascents, and official world records.

Awards, Recognition, and Public Profile

Various organizations have recognized and documented Lhakpa Sherpa's achievements.

• In 2016, she was included in the BBC's 100 Women list. By that time, she had successfully climbed Mount Everest seven times.

• In 2022, she was inducted into the Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame in the sports category.

• In 2024, Guinness World Records featured her in its Icons profile.

• In 2026, Guinness World Records confirmed that her record for the most Everest ascents by a woman had reached 11.

These forms of recognition serve different purposes. Guinness World Records documents her climbing achievements, while the BBC list and Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame recognize her public contributions. The award received by a documentary about her life should not be confused with these individual recognitions.

Significance of Lhakpa Sherpa's Contribution to Mountaineering

Lhakpa's principal achievement is extending the record for the most successful Everest ascents by a woman. After completing her first ascent in 2000, she reached the summit on ten more occasions, bringing her total to 11. These achievements are documented through expedition records and summit dates.

Another important aspect of her contribution concerns the history of Nepali women in mountaineering.

In 1993, Pasang Lhamu Sherpa became the first Nepali woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Seven years later, Lhakpa became the first Nepali woman to reach the summit and return safely. Both climbers' contributions must be understood within their proper historical chronology and as distinct achievements.

Lhakpa's professional journey began in a supporting role in Himalayan expeditions and progressed to expedition leadership and mountain guiding.

The records of her 2000 expedition document both her leadership and the contributions of other climbers. In a 2026 interview, she also emphasized the importance of teamwork, skills, and shared responsibilities during mountaineering expeditions.

Her personal experiences have been documented through her public statements and the documentary about her life. Meanwhile, records from the Himalayan Database, Guinness World Records, and contemporary news reports provide evidence of her climbing dates and achievements. These different types of sources help establish the various aspects of her biography.

Conclusion

Lhakpa Sherpa is a Nepali mountaineer who has successfully climbed Mount Everest 11 times and holds the world record for the most Everest ascents by a woman. In 2000, she became the first Nepali woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest and return safely. Her subsequent successful ascents between 2001 and 2026, along with her K2 ascent in 2023, are among her major mountaineering achievements.

Her biography also includes her childhood without access to formal schooling, early work supporting climbing expeditions, family responsibilities in the United States, and return to Everest after an approximately decade-long break following her 2006 ascent.

Mountaineering records and public interviews provide historical evidence for these different stages of her life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many times has Lhakpa Sherpa climbed Mount Everest?

According to Guinness World Records' 2026 records, Lhakpa Sherpa has successfully climbed Mount Everest 11 times. Her 11th ascent took place on May 17, 2026.

When did Lhakpa Sherpa first climb Mount Everest?

Lhakpa first reached the summit of Mount Everest on May 18, 2000, and descended safely. The climb was part of the Nepalese Women Millennium Expedition.

Was Lhakpa Sherpa the first Nepali woman to climb Mount Everest?

No. Pasang Lhamu Sherpa became the first Nepali woman to reach Mount Everest's summit in 1993. Lhakpa Sherpa became the first Nepali woman to reach the summit and return safely in 2000.

When did Lhakpa Sherpa climb K2?

Lhakpa successfully climbed K2, located in Pakistan, on July 27, 2023.

Which documentary is based on Lhakpa Sherpa's life?

The documentary about her life is Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa. It was directed by Lucy Walker and released on Netflix in 2024.

What is Lhakpa Sherpa's date of birth?

Guinness World Records lists September 23, 1973, as Lhakpa Sherpa's date of birth. However, in a 2019 interview, she explained that her exact age was uncertain because she had no formal birth registration. Therefore, the date recorded by Guinness should not be treated as independently verified through an official birth certificate.

References

1. Guinness World Records. "Most Ascents of Everest (Female)." Updated world record entry.

2. Guinness World Records. Adam Millward. "King and Queen of Everest Extend Their Records for Climbing Earth's Highest Peak." June 2, 2026.

3. The Himalayan Database. "Everest 2000: S Col–SE Ridge (EVER00116)." Expedition record. 

4. The Kathmandu Post. Suraj Kunwar. "Lhakpa Sherpa Scales Everest for Record 11th Time." May 17, 2026.

5. The Kathmandu Post. Biken K. Dawadi and Suraj Kunwar. "Q&A: Social Media Has Made Everest Ascent Look Easy, but It Isn't." May 24, 2026. 

6. The Kathmandu Post. Sangam Prasain. "150 Climbers Summit Everest. Nepali Woman Breaks Her Own Record with 10th Ascent." May 12, 2022.

7. ABC News Australia. "Girl Aged Around 15 Climbs Mount Everest in Possible Record." May 25, 2003.

8. The Himalayan Times. Rajan Pokhrel. "Nepali Woman Scales Mt Everest Eight Times Breaking Own Record." May 13, 2017.

9. The Himalayan Times. Rajan Pokhrel. "Lhakpa Sherpa Scales Mt Everest Nine Times Breaking Own Record." May 16, 2018.

10. The Himalayan Times. "Everest Queen Lhakpa, Photojournalist Purnima among Others Scale K2." July 27, 2023.

11. The Guardian. Megan Mayhew Bergman. "She Climbed Everest Nine Times and Set a World Record – So Why Doesn't She Have Sponsors?" October 31, 2019.

12. Netflix Tudum. Erin Corbett. "Mountain Queen's Lhakpa Sherpa Says Mount Everest Is 'Like a Teacher'." July 31, 2024.

13. Netflix. "Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa." 2024.

14. Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame. "Lhakpa Sherpa." Sports category, 2022.

15. Onlinekhabar. "Two Nepalis on BBC's '100 Women' List for 2016." November 21, 2016.

16. The Peabody Awards. "Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa." Award record. 

17. Lucy Walker Film. "Mountain Queen." Official director's information.

18. Guinness World Records. "Lhakpa Sherpa: Most Ascents of Everest for a Woman." Icons profile, 2024.

19. Netflix. "Netflix Acquires Worldwide Rights to TIFF Documentary 'Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa'." September 12, 2023.