KATHMANDU, May 22: HIV-infected Gopal Shrestha of Ratnachowk in Pokhara scaled the Mount Everest on Wednesday morning.

Director at the Department of Tourism, Meera Acharya, confirmed that Shrestha scaled the Mount Everest today morning.

Before heading to the Everest, 50-year-old Shrestha told reporters in Pokhara that he was going to climb the world's highest peak to spread awareness about HIV/Aids and drug abuses, reduce the number of HIV infected people and end discrimination against those living with the HIV.

He had said that he wanted to prove that the people living with HIV are also capable as other members in society and earn respect in the part of them in society.

Shrestha, a former national football player, had contracted the disease through syringe injection, according to family sources.

Shrestha, who has been suffering from HIV for over two and half decades, had scaled 5,416-meter high Thorangla Pass Mountain.

Shrestha’s attempt to scale the Mount Everest in 2015 had turned futile after he reached the Everest Base Camp due to the devastating Gorkha Earthquake which claimed the lives of his five friends at the EBC.

Shrestha had sustained serious injuries and was evacuated in a helicopter. 
 

 
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