Renowned Nepali mountaineer Prakash Raj Pandey is set to depart for Buenos Aires, Argentina, tomorrow (Monday) to undertake an expedition to scale the mighty Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America. He will be accompanied by experienced mountaineer and guide Chatur Tamang for the ascent.
Pandey, whose goal is to summit the highest peaks across all seven continents, has already conquered several significant mountains, including Mount Everest, Mount Elbrus, and Kilimanjaro. Hailing from the Ramchechhap Tamakoshi Village Municipality in Nepal, Pandey’s family is primarily aligned with the Nepal Army, but he charted his own path into mountaineering. His journey began in grade six when he joined the Scouts, marking the start of his dreams to conquer the world’s tallest mountains.
“After climbing Langtang’s Urke Peak, my excitement grew tremendously,” Pandey recalled. “That experience fueled my desire to climb Everest.” Before attempting Everest, Pandey had already summited Ice Land Peak (6,160 meters) in Solukhumbu in 2017, which paved the way for his successful ascent of Mount Everest in 2018.
In addition to his mountaineering feats, Pandey has been studying the impacts of climate change on mountain regions. “Through my expeditions, I am learning how climate change is affecting the Himalayas. Rising temperatures are having a significant impact on the mountains, and it’s a subject I aim to raise awareness about,” he shared.
Nepal’s Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli, offered his best wishes to Pandey for his latest climb during a special ceremony at the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar. Prime Minister Oli handed over the national flag to Pandey, wishing him success in his mission. The Prime Minister also expressed his support for all youth initiatives that spread positivity in society.
Pandey, who has already successfully ascended mountains like Everest, Manaslu, and Ama Dablam in Nepal, began his Seven Summits campaign in June 2024 by scaling Mount Elbrus, Europe’s highest peak. In November of the same year, he achieved the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. A resident of Mahalaxmi Municipality-2 in Lalitpur, Pandey has been pursuing his passion for mountaineering since 2016 and has continued to summit peaks year after year.

Pandey has set his sights on climbing the highest peaks across all continents. However, his expeditions aren’t just about scaling mountains they are also about raising awareness of climate change. “Despite our minimal role in causing climate change, we are facing its harsh effects, which should be a concern for all major nations,” Pandey emphasized. He plans to discuss the effects of climate change in each country he visits as part of his expeditions.
Though many Nepalis associate Argentina with football, few know that the country is home to South America’s highest mountain. Pandey hopes that his mission will raise awareness among Nepali youth about Argentina and promote the beautiful mountainous landscapes of Nepal in the process. With Nepal and Argentina having established diplomatic relations in 1962, Pandey believes his climb could serve as a bridge between the two nations, fostering closer ties.
Pandey is optimistic that his campaign will also help promote Nepal’s tourism in Argentina, as the country sends thousands of tourists abroad each year. He envisions his climb as a means to boost awareness of Nepal’s rich cultural and natural heritage.
As part of his Seven Summits mission, Pandey plans to raise Nepal’s flag on every peak he climbs, with the ultimate goal of flying the flag on Everest again. Alongside his mountaineering efforts, Pandey is also actively involved in international youth initiatives through Scouts and Rotary International, promoting Nepal’s tourism through these platforms.
His expedition is supported by Makalu Outfitters, who have provided the necessary mountaineering gear, and Pandey is confident that his growing network of partners will help ensure the success of his mission.