MYAGDI, April 18: After two years of hard work and preparation, journalist Purnima Shrestha conquered the 8091 meters tall Annapurna located in Northern Myagdi, becoming the first Nepali woman to reach the summit of the mountain on Friday. In addition, Shrestha received great honor in Myagdi on Monday for her achievement.

She was honored by the Narchung municipality, ward office, Annapurna Youth club, Ama group, and the journalists federation of Beni. A team of six Nepali women including Purnima hiked through Narchung led by The Seven Summit Trek Company on March 21 and ascended the summit at 1:30 pm on April 16. Prior to the current summit, there was no record of making a successful climb by a Nepali woman on Annapurna as it was considered difficult and risky.

Alongside Purnima, the group of six Nepali women included Dawa Yangom Sherpa, Dawa Futi Sherpa, Maya Sherpa, Pasang Lhamu Sherpa and Sharmila Tamang who reached the summit of Annapurna at 1:30 on April 16, with the help of their guide PembaSherpa.

Also Shrestha summited Mt Everest in 2018, Manaslu in 2017, and Amadablam in 2019. “I have just returned from Annapurna with a sweet experience of mountaineering and it is definitely one of the most attractive destinations in the world for mountain climbers,” Purnima said. Despite the hardship and endurance faced while climbing, Purnima expressed that she found the happiest moment of her life when she reached the top. Annapura is one of the riskiest mountains in the world, She added.

A resident of Arughat in Gorkha district, Shrestha also stated that she felt fewer risks while summiting Everest and Manaslu. Despite Annapurna being a risky mountain, the trip is sure to leave a pleasant memory for mountaineers, Shrestha added. While sharing her mountaineering experience, Purnima has also pledged to work and promote the development of Maurice Hargos Trail. So far, Purnima has climbed three mountains above 8,000 meters.

Of the 14 highest mountains in the world, eight are in Nepal while others are located in China and Pakistan. Similarly, Purnima  has decided to take more plans into account for her next mountain ascends. Furthermore, Maurice Hargoz, a French national was the first to climb Annapurna I on June 3, 1950, making it one of the oldest mountains to hold the first human footpath above 8000 meters followed by Everest three years later. As for Purnima, she has been honored for setting the record for being the first Nepali woman to climb Annapurna.

Also, Dama Bahadur Pun, the chairman of Annapurna Rural Municipality, said at a function held in Beni that he was filled with excitement by the success of the first team to ascend the mountain using the Mauriz Hargos trail, connecting the base camp via Narchang. Moreover, last friday 67 people climbed Annapurna on the same day, setting another record. As for the women summit team, the fundings for the expedition was provided by the Gandaki Province Government and the Annapurna Rural Municipality which donated Rs 800,000 and Rs 400,000, respectively. In addition, Chairman Pun had also personally contributed Rs 100,000 for the team.

 
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