Nepal’s record-holding climber Phunjo Jangmu Lama, who holds the world record for the fastest female ascent of Mount Everest, was among eight climbers who successfully summited Mount Everest (8,848.86m) on May 18 as part of Altipro Adventures’ inaugural Everest expedition.
The successful ascent marks another significant achievement for Phunjo and a historic milestone for the expedition company’s first-ever attempt on Everest.
Two-Wave Summit Push in Early Morning Hours
According to expedition organisers, the eight-member team reached the summit in two coordinated groups during the early hours of Monday. The first group, comprising Australian climber Jennifer Claire Willis, Phunjo Jangmu Lama, Mingma Nurbu Sherpa, and Pastenji Sherpa, reached the summit at 2:35 AM Nepal Standard Time.
Just minutes earlier, at 2:25 AM, the second group, Malaysian climber Mohd Khafiz Bin Bachok, Mongolian mountaineer Munkhuu Myagmar, Mingma Dorchi Sherpa (Saila), and Karma Gyalje Sherpa, had already successfully stood atop the world’s highest point.
Phunjo’s Continued Everest Legacy
For Phunjo Jangmu Lama, this latest summit further strengthens her already remarkable Everest legacy. In 2024, the Gorkha-born climber set a world record for the fastest female ascent of Mount Everest, reaching the summit in just 14 hours and 31 minutes from Base Camp, reclaiming a record she had previously held.
Her continued achievements place her among Nepal’s most accomplished high-altitude female climbers, inspiring a new generation of mountaineers.
Milestone for Altipro Adventures
The successful ascent also marks a major milestone for Altipro Adventures, which conducted its first-ever Everest expedition this spring season.
“This achievement marks the beginning of our journey in high-altitude expedition leadership,” the company stated, highlighting that the success was the result of months of preparation, acclimatisation, careful route planning, and weather strategy.
Safe Descent Underway
Following the successful summit, all eight climbers are safely descending toward Everest Base Camp, according to expedition organisers.
