First Nepali Photoscribe Scales Mt. Qomolangma

Nepal is known for its trekkers from different backgrounds, irrespective of gender, background, etc. However, one might not have heard of a Nepali trekker with a journalism background.

Yes, here arrives the first Nepali photojournalist to scale-up the world’s highest peak Mount Qomolangma, and her name is Purnima Shrestha.

In her first such attempt, 27-year-old Purnima recently made her first-ever summit to the 8,848-meter-high Qomolangma or Sagarmatha of Nepal.

“Purnima Shrestha reached summit on May 19, 2018 at 8:10 A.M. local time,” read an official statement by Gyanendra Shrestha, an official from the Department of Tourism, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Government of Nepal.

Elated at Purnima’s success, the world record holder and a Qomolangma climber Temba Tsheri Sherpa said, “I feel very happy to share that she made it to the top along with other Chinese climbers in the team. The team will hopefully get back to base camp by Sunday,” on May 20, 2018.

Temba Tsheri also heads Sherpa Khangri Outdoor, a firm that handled Purnima’s expedition.

First of its Kind

Purnima belongs to the Gorkha District of Nepal and has been into the field of photo journalism since five years.

As part of her trek journey to the Qomolangma peak, Purnima also carried forward her love for photo journalism as evident in a special solo exhibition she organized in the Qomolangma region.

Along with the summit, Purnima also held a first-of-its-kind solo photo exhibition in the region under the theme ‘Smiling Nepali Women’.

The exhibition, also supported by Nepal Tourism Board and Photojournalists’ Club of Nepal (PJ Club), featured portraits of Nepali women belonging to all walks of life.

“Purnima has created a history by becoming the first Nepali photojournalist to reach the top of the world. It is a proud moment for all of us and it will definitely inspire other photojournalists to follow the path of dreams,” says Bikash Karki, Chairman of the PJ Club.

“The major objective of the exhibition is to promote Nepali culture and tourism of the country. It will enable the world climbers and trekkers gathering in the region to know other aspects of Nepal,”

As a photojournalist, Purnima has been associated with a Nepal-based National Daily newspaper and a magazine.