Fur Diki Sherpa, a 51-year-old mountaineer from Solukhumbu, has announced her ambitious plan to summit Mt. Lhotse (8,516 metres), the world’s fourth-highest mountain, in record time during the spring of 2026. Her goal is to complete the ascent from base camp to summit and back within just 24 hours.
At a press conference organised on Saturday at Crimpanzee Adventure Hub in Mahakal, Kathmandu, Fur Diki Sherpa revealed her meticulously planned expedition strategy. Fur Diki Sherpa aims to set a new women’s speed record on Lhotse, a challenge that would place her among the most accomplished high-altitude climbers in Nepal.
Climbing in Memory of Her Father and Close Friend
Fur Diki Sherpa has dedicated this expedition to the memory of her late father, Ang Nima Sherpa, and her close friend Iman Singh Gurung. Her father, a senior icefall doctor, had always dreamed of summiting Lhotse but never had the opportunity to fulfil that aspiration.
“My father dreamed of climbing Lhotse, but that dream remained unfulfilled,” Fur Diki Sherpa shared emotionally during the press conference. “I am climbing to complete his dream. I will carry photographs of my father and Iman Gurung to the summit.”
Political and Mountaineering Leaders Extend Support
Speaking at the same event, Mingma Gyabu Sherpa (David), a member of parliament from the Rastriya Swatantra Party, emphasised Nepal’s immense mountaineering potential. “Nepal is a country filled with mountains. Although we should be teaching the world, we are still in a position where we must learn from other nations,” he said. “There is a misconception that Nepal has nothing, that there is no potential. But in reality, there are enormous possibilities here.” He extended his best wishes for the success of the Sherpa’s expedition.
Phur Gelje Sherpa, President of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, highlighted the Sherpa community’s crucial role in elevating the nation’s prestige globally. “Fur Diki Sherpa has always remained active and continues to inspire women,” he stated. “The day will come not only when the Sherpa community, but the entire world, will take pride in Fur Diki Sherpa’s achievements.” He stressed the importance of working within Nepal, warning that if everyone moves abroad, community progress will stall.
Laxman Adhikari, Ward Chair of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality–4, confirmed that the local government would initiate necessary support for single women’s rights and welfare. Senior tourism entrepreneur Ang Tshering Sherpa, Chairman of Asian Trekking Pvt. Ltd., also extended his congratulations.
Three Peaks in 24 Hours: A Warm-Up for Lhotse
Before her Lhotse speed record attempt, Fur Diki Sherpa had announced an extraordinary preparatory challenge: climbing Island Peak (6,189m), Lobuche East (6,119m), and Pokalde (5,806m), all located in the Khumbu region, within a single 24-hour period. This ambitious warm-up will test her endurance and acclimatisation strategy before taking on the far more demanding ascent of Lhotse.
Financial Support and Sponsorship
The total estimated cost of the Lhotse expedition is NPR 7,10,000, covering permits, accommodation, food, logistics, insurance, oxygen, and climbing gear. In a letter seeking financial sponsorship from the US Nepal Climbers Association (USNCA), Sherpa wrote: “This time, I am climbing with a renewed and forward-looking purpose: to qualify and earn my certification as a licensed professional mountain guide, and to set a women’s speed record on Lhotse, milestones that would make me one of the very few Nepali women to hold such distinctions.”
Ang Dawa Sherpa, General Secretary of USNCA, confirmed the association is making efforts to support her bid. Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality, Seven Summit Treks, Wild Yak Expeditions, 7 Summits Club, Dingboche Resort, Sunrise Lodge Phakding, and Pangboche Beyul Lodge support the three-peak attempt. Her full Lhotse expedition is sponsored by Elite Exped.
A Historic First: The Widow Pair Who Conquered Everest
On May 23, 2019, Fur Diki Sherpa and Nima Doma Sherpa made mountaineering history as the first pair of widows to successfully summit Mt. Everest. The climb was undertaken to honour the unfulfilled dreams of her late husband, Mingma Sherpa, who tragically lost his life in the Khumbu Icefall during the 2013 Everest expedition.
An Impressive Climbing Portfolio
A resident of Dingboche, Solukhumbu, Sherpa has already summited numerous peaks: Everest, Ama Dablam, Himlung Himal, Island Peak (twice), Lobuche Peak (eight times), Mera Peak, Chulu Far East, Pokalde, and Paldor Peak. She successfully led all-women teams to the summits of Himlung Himal in October 2025 and Paldor Peak in December 2025, guiding a 16-member all-women team on the latter.
Technical Training and Certifications
Sherpa has completed Basic, Advanced, and Double Advanced training at the Khumbu Climbing Centre (KCC). She has also earned Basic Rock Climbing Level–1 certification and High Mountain Rescue Training (HMRT) from the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA).
Sherpa aims to inspire women worldwide to overcome life’s difficult circumstances and achieve their goals. “If I can achieve such a goal at this age, I want to send the message that other women can also fulfil their dreams,” she said. Sherpa is scheduled to depart from Kathmandu to Lukla on April 22, 2026, to begin her historic expedition.
