Phunjo Jangmu Lama, the record-breaking mountaineer, has been officially named Tourism Goodwill Ambassador by Tsum Nubri Rural Municipality in Gorkha district. The decision arrives at a particularly meaningful moment, as Nepal marks 70 years since the first successful summit of Mt Manaslu. This peak rises majestically within the very Tsum Valley that Phunjo calls home.
Unanimous Decision at General Assembly
The nomination was passed unanimously during a general assembly of the rural municipality, with local representatives and residents in attendance to endorse the decision. Rural municipality chairman Nima Lama confirmed that the timing was deliberately tied to the 70th anniversary of Manaslu’s first ascent, a milestone the municipality wanted to honor by recognizing one of its own who has carried the region’s name onto the world’s highest stages.
For Tsum Nubri, the appointment is more than ceremonial. It is an attempt to harness Phunjo’s global recognition to draw greater attention and tourism to the Manaslu region, an area rich in Himalayan landscapes, Buddhist heritage, and a unique cultural identity.
A Mountaineer Like No Other
Born in Chhokangpaaro village in the Tsum Valley, Phunjo Jangmu Lama has built one of the most remarkable climbing résumés in Nepal’s mountaineering history. Her achievements include:
- Fastest female ascent of Mt Everest from base camp, completed in 14 hours and 31 minutes in 2024
- Fastest round-trip record from Base Camp to Summit and back to Base Camp, finished in 24 hours and 26 minutes
- Successful summits of Everest, Manaslu, Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam, Lobuche, and Denali
- Recognition as Nepal’s first female helicopter long-line rescuer
- Recipient of the prestigious Tenzing Hillary Award
These accomplishments have placed her among Nepal’s most celebrated athletes, a climber whose name is now closely associated with both speed records and high-altitude rescue work, a field where few women have made their mark.
Service Beyond the Summit
Phunjo’s contributions extend well beyond mountaineering. She has been actively involved in supporting rural and marginalized communities, particularly in the areas of livelihood generation, education, and sustainable development. This grassroots commitment, combined with her international climbing fame, made her a natural choice for a role that requires both visibility and credibility on the ground.
Local officials noted that her dual identity, as a world-class athlete and a community advocate, reflects exactly the kind of representation the municipality hopes will resonate with both domestic and international audiences.
A Valley with a Legacy of Peace
In her new capacity, Phunjo is expected to play a central role in promoting tourism across the wider Manaslu region. The Tsum Valley itself carries a distinctive legacy: it has been recognized as a non-violence zone for 105 years, a status rooted in deep Buddhist cultural traditions and a long-standing commitment to peace and harmony among its communities.
This cultural backdrop, combined with the valley’s connection to Mt Manaslu, the world’s eighth-highest peak, positions Tsum Nubri as a destination with both adventure appeal and spiritual significance. Officials hope that Phunjo’s ambassadorship will help tell this layered story to a wider audience, encouraging visitors to explore not just the mountains, but the heritage and values embedded in the region.
Celebrating a National Source of Pride
As news of the appointment spread, congratulatory messages poured in, with many describing Phunjo as a true source of pride for Nepal. Her journey, from a village in the Tsum Valley to record books on Everest, has inspired admiration well beyond the mountaineering community.
With Nepal commemorating seven decades since Manaslu’s historic first ascent, the symbolism of the appointment is hard to miss: a daughter of the valley, now globally recognized, stepping forward to champion the very land that shaped her.
