Nepali Women Team on 7 Summits Return HomeMonday, December 28th, 2015
KATHMANDU, Nepal, January 7, 2015 -The Seven Summits Women Team which recently became the first female team in the world to climb the highest mountain in each continent is all set to return home on the 9th January 2015 at 11:30 am at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. The epic journey that started from the Himalayas in Nepal with the ascent of Mt Everest culminated in the 7th climb this December. Members Chunu Shrestha, Nimdoma Sherpa, Pema Diki Sherpa and Maya Gurung reached the summit of Mt Vinson Massif in Antarctica on 23rd December, 2014 at 3 pm.
Nimdoma Sherpa, a member to complete the 7 Summits mission says, ‘The climb was more challenging than expected because of the weather. We had needle like snow piercing into our faces. It was very windy. Yet, the reaching the summit filled my heart. A long time dream finally came true.’
With the slogan of ‘Together We Reach Higher’, the team has been focusing on the message of Education, Empowerment & Environment. Meantime, the team has been actively promoting tourism creating landmarks in the promotion of the country. Nepal Tourism Board earlier hosted their first ever tourism promotion events in Africa and South America following the team’s successful ascent in the respective continents.
Nepal Tourism Board held a Nepal promotion event in Santiago, Chile on 7th January 2015 coinciding with the successful ascent of Mt Vinson Massif in Antarctica, the 7th and final climb of the ‘Seven Summits Women Team’, addressing an audience of top media houses like La Nacion, Publimetro, Dario Hoy, Radio Universidad de Chile, Belecu etc. and representatives of ACHET, Chile’s Association of Tourism Entrepreneurs. Nandini Lahe Thapa, Officiating CEO, NTB, highlighted the tourism potential of Nepal to this yet untapped but potential market in South America. Due to growing economy, there has been consistent growth in the outbound long haul markets and NTB will be focusing on targeted promotion in this emerging market. There was a lot of interest in the various tourism products of Nepal especially in the adventure segment. Carlos Bravo Soto, a guest, said, “We are very unaware of the other side of the globe so this was a great exposure.”
Shailee Basnet, coordinator of the team took the audience on a visual journey showcasing the beauty and diversity of Nepal woven into their inspirational and challenging journey of climbing the highest mountains across 7 continents. Summits Scaled by the team includes Mt Everest in Asia, Mt Kosciuszko in Australia, Mt Elbrus in Europe, Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mt Aconcagua in South America, Mt Denali in North America and Mt Vinson Massif in Antarctica.
Shailee Basnet says, ‘It has been tough seven years but not without achievement. While climbing the mountains as a women team has its special place in history, opportunity to make real impact in education, empowerment, environment and the country’s promotion has been historic in their own rights.’ Pema Diki Sherpa adds, ‘This is more than a climbing mission. The lessons and success of the journey will now pave way for future. The world will see more action from us.’
The team now envisions continuing their message of education, empowerment and environment through tourism sector.
The women led mission has been supported by prestigious organizations including Government of Nepal, Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal Mountaineering Association, United Nations World Food Programme, Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal, Lions Clubs International, Non-Resident Nepalis Association, Ful Kumari Mahato Memorial Trust, Panchakanya Group, Golchha Organization, Association of Chartered Accountants of Nepal, The North Face, SmartPaani, Tewa, NEBICO, Mountain Delights Treks, Jyoti Group, Choyu Treks, Folk Nepal, ASMAN, NANC, Nepali Women’s Global Network- California Chapter, Nepal America Journalist’s Association (NEAJA) USA, Temple Tiger, Murarka Organization including various individual donors.
