Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Akita born 1984 is a Nepali Sherpa mountaineer. She was the first woman in Nepal to become a mountaineering instructor, was one of the first Nepali women to reach the summit of K2 and Nanga Parbat.
Pasang’s journey to the mountains began in her childhood. Raised in Lukla, Nepal, she would see trekkers and mountaineers passing by daily on her way to school. This sparked a dream in her to one day become a mountaineer herself.
But Pasang faced a big challenge. In Nepal, people didn’t think women should be mountain climbers. It was seen as a job for men – too dangerous for women. But Pasang had a dream, and she wasn’t going to let anyone stop her.
After finishing high school in Kathmandu, she began studying mountaineering and later trained at the Khumbu Climbing School. She also earned a diploma from the prestigious École Nationale du Ski et de l’Alpinisme in France.
Pasang’s remarkable achievements includes the first woman to climb Nangpai Gosum II, in 2006. In 2007 she climbed Mount Everest,14 years after another climber with the same name, Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, became the first Nepali woman to climb Everest.
Akita climbed K2 in 2014 as part of a three-woman team, the first team of Nepali women to climb the mountain.
The climb was dedicated to climate change awareness, and took place on the 60th anniversary of the first ascent of K2. She has also climbed Yala Peak, Ama Dablam, Lobuche, Imja Tse,and Aconcagua.
In 2016, she was named National Geographic’s People’s Choice Adventurer of the Year and was presented with the 45th International Alpine Solidarity Award in Pinzolo, Italy.
Despite the challenges, including a lack of job opportunities and gender bias, Pasang’s determination never wavered.
She has guided expeditions around the world and found a supportive environment where women were treated equally, a stark contrast to her experiences in Nepal.
Today, Pasang is not only a world-class mountaineer but also a mother. She sees motherhood as her greatest adventure yet. Through her life, Pasang shows us that with determination and courage, we can overcome any obstacle and reach the highest peaks – both on mountains and in life.
Pasang’s story isn’t just about her personal achievements. It’s about her commitment to empowering other Nepali women. She understands the value of education, having been fortunate to receive one herself, despite losing both her parents by the age of 15.
Today, she is focused on creating a scholarship program for girls in remote areas of Nepal, believing that education is the key to changing their lives. Her goal isn’t to turn them into mountaineers but to help them become whatever they aspire to be.
