Published on July 24, 2025
Kathmandu, May 15. A team of 8th semester students from the Nepal Mountain Academy has successfully summited Himlung Himal (7,126 meters) as part of the academy’s 2025 Himlung Expedition. The summit marks a major milestone in the academy’s mission to combine academic mountaineering education with real-world climbing experience.
According to Ungdi Tshiring Sherpa of the Nepal Mountain Academy, the first group reached the summit today, May 15. Operating under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, the academy has been instrumental in preparing the next generation of Nepali mountaineers.
The summit team consisted of students, instructors, government officials, and experienced climbing guides. The members of the first summit group include:
• Pasang Kidar Sherpa – Chief Instructor and IFMGA Certified Mountain Guide
• Anil Kiratee – Executive Director and Field Supervisor (Under-Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation)
• Bibek Shakha – Student, Team Leader
• Alexander Lama – Student
• Bikram Lama – Student
• John Bipra – Student
• Prakash Gurung – Student
• Prakash Rijal – Student
• Sanjiv KC – Student
• Nhuzza Manandhar – Photographer
• Phurba Sarki Sherpa – Climbing Guide
• Lakpa Dorjee Sherpa – Climbing Guide
• Chhewang Sherpa – Climbing Guide
The Himlung Himal expedition is part of the academy’s hands-on mountaineering training program, designed to provide students with real-world experience in high-altitude environments. Located in the remote Manaslu region of Nepal, Himlung Himal is known for its technical climbing challenges and extreme weather conditions, making it an ideal training ground for aspiring climbers.
Sherpa emphasized that the successful ascent highlights the capabilities of Nepal’s emerging generation of mountaineers and reinforces the nation’s leadership in high-altitude climbing education. Additional summits and activities under the academy’s 2025 climbing program are expected in the coming weeks.