Purnima Shrestha Biography: From Photojournalism to an Everest World Record

Purnima Shrestha is a Nepali photojournalist and mountaineer born in Arughat, Gorkha district, Nepal. She began her professional career in journalism before entering mountaineering with a successful ascent of Mount Manaslu in 2017. She subsequently climbed Mount Everest, Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri I, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, and K2, among other mountains.

In 2018, Shrestha became the first Nepali photojournalist to reach the summit of Mount Everest. In 2021, she was among the first Nepali women to summit Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri I. She established a Guinness World Record in 2024 by becoming the first woman to summit Everest three times in a single climbing season.

Shrestha completed her fifth Everest ascent in 2025 and her sixth on May 20, 2026, bringing her total number of successful Everest summits to six. Her career, which connects journalism with high-altitude mountaineering, has become part of the history of women's mountaineering in Nepal.

Purnima Shrestha: Quick Facts

Early Life, Birthplace, and Family Background

Purnima Shrestha was born in Arughat, a town in Gorkha district, Gandaki Province, Nepal. Located along the Budhi Gandaki River, Arughat is connected to trekking routes leading toward the Manaslu region.

Shrestha spent her childhood in Arughat. Although she grew up relatively close to the Himalayan region, becoming a mountaineer was not part of her childhood plans. Her family also had no professional background in mountaineering.

According to an interview published by ECS Nepal in 2018, Shrestha completed her school education in Arughat. At that stage, her interests were primarily focused on education and journalism rather than mountain climbing.

Her interest in mountaineering developed later when her journalism assignments provided opportunities to visit high-altitude areas and observe climbing activities.

Education and Journalism Studies

After completing her school education in Arughat, Purnima Shrestha moved to Kathmandu for higher studies.

She studied journalism and mass communication in Kathmandu. As her interest in news writing and visual communication developed, she chose photojournalism as her professional field.

In her interview with ECS Nepal, Shrestha explained that she initially worked in writing-related activities before moving into photojournalism.

Her assignments involved photographing news events and visiting different locations. These experiences exposed her to various communities, places, and situations across Nepal.

Over time, her professional activities extended into the Himalayan region, where she developed an interest in mountaineering.

Beginning of Her Photojournalism Career

Purnima Shrestha established her professional identity as a photojournalist. She worked for Karobar National Economic Daily, a Kathmandu-based newspaper.

During her journalism career, she travelled to different locations to collect news-related photographs. Her work documenting events and communities helped her become familiar with Nepal's geographical diversity and everyday life.

Shrestha was also associated with the Photo Journalists' Club Nepal.

When reports about her first Everest ascent appeared in 2018, The Kathmandu Post and The Himalayan Times confirmed that she worked for Karobar Daily and was a member of the Photo Journalists' Club.

Her photojournalism experience later played an important role in her transition into professional mountaineering.

Entry into Mountaineering and First Manaslu Ascent (2017)

Purnima Shrestha's mountaineering journey began through experiences connected to her journalism career.

In 2017, she travelled to the Everest Base Camp area while covering the Everest Marathon. Observing the mountains and climbing activities at close range inspired her to attempt mountaineering herself.

In a 2021 interview with OnlineKhabar, Shrestha explained that she initially wanted to climb Mount Everest. However, after being advised to gain experience on another mountain first, she chose Manaslu.

First Successful Ascent of Manaslu

On September 26, 2017, Shrestha successfully summited Mount Manaslu, which stands at 8,163 metres.

Located in Gorkha district, Manaslu is the world's eighth-highest mountain. This was Shrestha's first high-altitude mountain ascent.

Following her successful Manaslu expedition, she continued preparing for Everest.

The Manaslu ascent established the foundation of her mountaineering career and marked her transition from photojournalism into high-altitude climbing.

First Everest Ascent and Photography Exhibition (2018)

One year after climbing Manaslu, Purnima Shrestha successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain.

She reached the summit at 8:10 a.m. on May 19, 2018.

According to contemporary reports published by The Kathmandu Post and The Himalayan Times, Shrestha became the first Nepali photojournalist to summit Everest.

News reports from that period stated that she was 26 years old when she completed the ascent.

The achievement connected her professional identity as a photojournalist with her growing mountaineering career.

'Smiling Women Nepal' Photography Exhibition

Shrestha also connected her first Everest expedition with her work in photography.

She organized a solo photography exhibition titled Smiling Women Nepal, featuring photographs of Nepali women from different social and geographical backgrounds.

The exhibition was associated with the Nepal Tourism Board's #PhotoNepal campaign and support from the Photo Journalists' Club Nepal.

Its purpose was to present the lives of Nepali women and the country's cultural diversity through photography.

The initiative demonstrated how Shrestha combined photojournalism and mountaineering within the same professional journey.

Ama Dablam Ascent (2019)

Following her first successful Everest expedition, Purnima Shrestha climbed Mount Ama Dablam in 2019.

Located in the Khumbu region, Ama Dablam is known for its technically demanding climbing routes.

According to records maintained by the Himalayan Database, Shrestha successfully reached the summit of Ama Dablam on November 10, 2019.

Pemba Sherpa provided climbing assistance during the expedition.

The Ama Dablam ascent expanded her mountaineering experience beyond peaks exceeding 8,000 metres. It also gave her experience climbing mountains with different geographical characteristics and technical demands.

Historic Ascents of Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri I (2021)

In 2021, Purnima Shrestha successfully climbed two major Himalayan peaks above 8,000 metres: Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri I.

She was among the first Nepali women to reach the summits of both mountains.

Annapurna I Ascent (April 16, 2021)

On April 16, 2021, six Nepali women successfully climbed Annapurna I, which stands at 8,091 metres.

They became the first Nepali women to reach the mountain's summit.

The six climbers were:

• Purnima Shrestha

• Maya Sherpa

• Dawa Yangjum Sherpa

• Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Akita

• Dabuti Sherpa

• Sharmila Syangtan Tamang

The Kathmandu Post and The Himalayan Times published reports about their successful ascent on April 16, 2021.

Annapurna I was first climbed in 1950 by Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal. Women from the United States had already made the first successful female ascent of the mountain in 1978.

Therefore, the achievement in 2021 was not the world's first female ascent of Annapurna I. It was the first successful ascent by Nepali women.

This distinction is important when describing Shrestha's historical achievement.

Dhaulagiri I Ascent (October 1, 2021)

After climbing Annapurna I, Shrestha successfully summited Dhaulagiri I, standing at 8,167 metres, later that year.

On October 1, 2021, Purnima Shrestha and Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Akita reached the summit of Dhaulagiri I.

They became the first Nepali women to successfully climb the mountain.

The Himalayan Times reported their achievement on October 1, 2021. Subsequent expedition records also identify that date as Shrestha's successful summit.

With this achievement, Shrestha became one of the first Nepali women to have successfully climbed both Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri I by the end of 2021.

Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu Ascents (2022)

In 2022, Purnima Shrestha completed successful ascents of three mountains above 8,000 metres within a single month.

She reached the summits of Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu in May.

Kanchenjunga Ascent (May 5, 2022)

On May 5, 2022, Shrestha successfully climbed Mount Kanchenjunga, which stands at 8,586 metres.

Kanchenjunga is the world's third-highest mountain. It lies on the border between Nepal and the Indian state of Sikkim.

Lhotse Ascent (May 16, 2022)

Eleven days after summiting Kanchenjunga, Shrestha reached the summit of Mount Lhotse on May 16, 2022.

Standing at 8,516 metres, Lhotse is the world's fourth-highest mountain.

The Himalayan Database records May 16, 2022, as the date of her successful ascent.

Makalu Ascent (May 27, 2022)

On May 27, 2022, Shrestha successfully summited Mount Makalu, which stands at 8,485 metres.

Makalu is the world's fifth-highest mountain.

By completing the Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu expeditions, Shrestha had climbed seven distinct mountains exceeding 8,000 metres.

K2 Ascent in Pakistan (2023)

Purnima Shrestha successfully climbed K2 in Pakistan on July 27, 2023.

K2 stands at 8,611 metres and is the world's second-highest mountain after Everest. It is located in the Karakoram mountain range along the Pakistan–China border.

For Shrestha, the K2 expedition marked her first successful ascent of an 8,000-metre mountain outside Nepal.

According to a report published by Republica on July 27, 2023, K2 was the eighth distinct mountain above 8,000 metres she had successfully climbed.

Before K2, she had already summited Manaslu, Everest, Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri I, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu.

The K2 ascent expanded her list of successful expeditions beyond the Nepal Himalayas.

Three Everest Summits in One Season and Guinness World Record (2024)

Purnima Shrestha established a world record during the spring 2024 climbing season by reaching the summit of Mount Everest three times over a period of 13 days.

She became the first woman in the world to summit Everest three times in a single climbing season.

Three Everest Ascents in May 2024

Shrestha completed all three ascents in May 2024.

During her third ascent, Shrestha reached Everest's summit at 5:50 a.m. on May 25, 2024.

She had previously climbed Everest once in 2018. Her three additional summits in 2024 brought her total number of successful Everest ascents to four at that time.

Official Recognition by Guinness World Records

Guinness World Records officially recognized Shrestha's achievement under the category "Most Ascents of Everest in a Single Season (Female)."

According to the Guinness record, she successfully climbed Everest three times via the southern route on May 12, 19, and 25, 2024.

The record specifically concerns the highest number of Everest ascents completed by a woman within one climbing season.

It is not the record for the highest number of Everest ascents by a woman over an entire lifetime.

This distinction separates Shrestha's single-season achievement from the lifetime Everest ascent record.

International Media Recognition

Toward the end of 2024, American news organization CNN included Shrestha in coverage of athletes who had achieved notable sporting accomplishments during the year.

According to a report published by The Kathmandu Post on December 29, 2024, CNN featured her three Everest ascents in an article titled The Extreme Athletes Who Pushed Limits in 2024.

The coverage demonstrated that her world record had attracted attention from international news media.

Fifth and Sixth Everest Ascents (2025–2026)

Following her Guinness World Record in 2024, Purnima Shrestha continued climbing Mount Everest.

She completed her fifth Everest ascent in 2025 and her sixth in 2026.

Fifth Everest Ascent (May 18, 2025)

On May 18, 2025, Shrestha reached the summit of Everest for the fifth time.

According to Everest Chronicle, she arrived at the summit at 3:37 a.m.

The expedition was managed by Satori Adventures.

With this ascent, her total number of successful Everest summits increased to five.

The Himalayan Database's 2025 expedition records also confirm the date of her fifth ascent.

Sixth Everest Ascent (May 20, 2026)

On May 20, 2026, Purnima Shrestha reached the summit of Everest for the sixth time.

This ascent was also completed during an expedition organized through Satori Adventures.

In an interview published by SBS Nepali on May 30, 2026, Shrestha confirmed that she had climbed Everest for the sixth time.

During the interview, she also discussed her experiences of climber congestion on Everest during the 2026 season.

The ascent brought her confirmed total to six successful Everest summits as of May 2026.

Eight Mountains Above 8,000 Metres Climbed by Purnima Shrestha

According to available expedition records, Purnima Shrestha has successfully climbed eight distinct mountains exceeding 8,000 metres.

Expedition records also show that Shrestha has successfully climbed Manaslu twice and Everest six times.

Repeated ascents of the same mountain are not counted as additional distinct peaks.

Connection Between Photojournalism and Mountaineering

Purnima Shrestha's career connects two fields: journalism and mountaineering.

As a photojournalist, she documented news events, photographed people and places, and produced visual records of different communities and activities.

Her interest in mountaineering developed during one such assignment when she visited the Everest Base Camp area in 2017.

She subsequently made her first successful high-altitude ascent of Manaslu, formally beginning her mountaineering career.

The Smiling Women Nepal photography exhibition, associated with her first Everest expedition in 2018, illustrates the relationship between her journalism career and her mountaineering activities.

She later continued participating in expeditions to different Himalayan peaks while building her climbing experience.

In this sense, Shrestha's mountaineering career did not emerge independently of journalism. It developed from the professional experiences and opportunities she encountered as a photojournalist.

Purnima Shrestha's Contribution to Nepali Women's Mountaineering

Purnima Shrestha's achievements hold historical significance in Nepali women's mountaineering.

Her contribution is particularly evident in three areas.

First, she became the first Nepali photojournalist to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 2018. This achievement connected her professional journalism background with a successful ascent of the world's highest mountain.

Second, she was among the first Nepali women to summit Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri I in 2021.

Third, she established a Guinness World Record in 2024 by becoming the first woman to climb Everest three times in a single season.

These achievements form part of her personal mountaineering career while also contributing to the documented presence of Nepali women in international mountaineering records.

Conclusion

Purnima Shrestha's professional journey began in journalism and gradually extended into high-altitude mountaineering.

Starting with her successful ascent of Manaslu in 2017, she went on to climb Everest, Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri I, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, and K2.

Among her most significant historical achievements were becoming one of the first Nepali women to summit Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri I in 2021 and establishing a Guinness World Record by climbing Everest three times in a single season in 2024.

With her sixth Everest ascent in May 2026, Shrestha's career remains documented in the history of Nepali photojournalism and women's mountaineering.

References

1. Guinness World Records – Most Ascents of Everest in a Single Season (Female)

2. Guinness World Records – Most Ascents of Everest (Female)

3. The Kathmandu Post – Purnima First Lenswoman Atop Everest, 2018

4. The Himalayan Times – Purnima Shrestha Becomes First Nepali Photojournalist to Scale Everest, 2018

5. ECS Nepal – To Understand the Mountain, We Need to Get Close, 2018

6. The Himalayan Database – Ama Dablam Expedition, 2019

7. The Kathmandu Post – Six Women Become the First Nepali Women to Climb Annapurna I, 2021

8. The Himalayan Times – Pasang Lhamu and Purnima Shrestha Scale Dhaulagiri, 2021

9. OnlineKhabar – Purnima Shrestha: A Photojournalist's Bid to Establish Herself Atop Mountains, 2021

10. Republica – Purnima Shrestha Climbs Two Peaks Above 8,000 Metres in 11 Days, 2022

11. Republica – Nepali Journalist Purnima Shrestha Scales K2, 2023

12. The Kathmandu Post – Purnima Shrestha Among CNN's Extreme Athletes of 2024

13. Everest Chronicle – Record-Holding Purnima Shrestha Summits Everest for Fifth Time, 2025

14. The Himalayan Database – Everest Expedition, 2025

15. SBS Nepali – Purnima Shrestha's Sixth Everest Summit, 2026