At Grande International Hospital in Kathmandu, Dr. Priti Bhusal was known as a caring doctor. While she worked hard helping patients, she also loved nature and trekking. This passion for the outdoors led her to dream of an incredible challenge – climbing Mount Everest.
It all began with a chance encounter on a Swiss train in 2019. When fellow travelers learned Dr. Bhusal was from Nepal, they immediately asked, “Haven’t you climbed Mount Everest?” Their assumption, though incorrect, planted a seed in Bhusal’s mind. Why shouldn’t she, a Nepali and a doctor, stand atop the world’s highest peak?
That same year, Dr. Bhusal took her first step towards her lofty goal by successfully climbing Lobuche, a 6,119-meter mountain in the Everest region. This achievement only fueled her determination to reach greater heights.
Fast forward to May 12, 2022. As the spring climbing season on Everest was in full swing, Dr. Bhusal made history. Accompanied by renowned mountaineers Pemba Dorje Sherpa and Lakpa Nuru, she became the first Nepali female doctor to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
But for Dr. Bhusal, this climb was about more than personal achievement. She dedicated her ascent to the countless healthcare workers who had been on the frontlines battling COVID-19. “This is for the doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and every hospital staff member who worked tirelessly during the pandemic,” she said after her triumphant return.
Her story will undoubtedly encourage more Nepali women to pursue their dreams, whether in medicine, mountaineering, or any field they choose.
Dr. Bhusal returns to her duties at Hospital, she carries with her the spirit of the mountains and the pride of a nation. Her remarkable achievement proves that sometimes, the most unexpected questions can lead us on the greatest adventures of our lives.
