World-renowned Norwegian mountaineer Kristin Harila has successfully summited Mt. Nuptse (7,855m), completing the first stage of her ambitious Triple Crown challenge, a single-season ascent of Nuptse, Lhotse, and Everest without supplemental oxygen.
According to Seven Summit Treks, the expedition organizer managing the climb, Harila, reached the summit of Nuptse on Sunday morning alongside experienced climber Mingtemba Sherpa. The pair completed the ascent in a single fresh push, marking Harila’s first successful climb of the technically demanding Himalayan peak. The achievement officially launches Harila’s rare and highly challenging Triple Crown expedition in Nepal’s Khumbu region, where she now plans to attempt Mt. Lhotse and Mt. Everest without bottled oxygen.
One of Mountaineering’s Rarest Challenges
The Triple Crown challenge, which combines ascents of Nuptse, Lhotse, and Everest in a single climbing season, is considered one of the rarest and most difficult accomplishments in modern mountaineering. The challenge becomes even more extreme without supplemental oxygen, requiring exceptional endurance, acclimatization, and physical strength.
Following the successful Nuptse summit, Harila and Mingtemba Sherpa are expected to return to higher camps in preparation for their attempts on the remaining two peaks. Expedition officials praised the pair for their strong performance on Nuptse, a mountain known for its steep ridges, technical ice climbing, and difficult summit approach.
Record-Breaking Climbers Return to the Himalayas
Both Kristin Harila and Mingtemba Sherpa are already among the world’s elite mountaineers, having previously summited all 14 mountains above 8,000 metres. Harila gained international recognition in 2023 after setting the world record for the fastest ascent of all 14 eight-thousanders, completing the feat in just 92 days. Her achievement established her as one of the most accomplished high-altitude climbers of the modern era.
Mingtemba Sherpa has also earned respect in the mountaineering community for his extensive Himalayan experience. Earlier this season, he played a major role in fixing the summit route to Mt. Everest on May 13, helping prepare the climbing path for international expeditions.
Climbing with a Personal Mission
Ahead of the expedition season, Harila stated that she wanted to test her physical and mental limits by climbing all three peaks without supplemental oxygen. “As an athlete, I’m always curious about how my body reacts to different conditions,” she had said before beginning the expedition.
Her return to the Himalayas also carries deep personal significance. Harila has expressed hope of traveling to Shishapangma in Tibet later this year to continue searching for her former climbing partner, Tenjen Lama Sherpa, who went missing after an avalanche struck the mountain in October 2023.
Growing Attention on Spring 2026 Expeditions
Harila’s latest achievement has drawn global attention to Nepal’s ongoing spring climbing season, which has seen several record-breaking ascents and ambitious mountaineering projects. Mountaineering experts say her oxygen-free Triple Crown attempt could become one of the most remarkable achievements of the season if completed.
