Known as one of the greatest climbers of all time, Nirmal Purja has achieved a variety of records, including the first winter ascent of K2. He is also the first man to climb all fourteen summits of the Alps. His career began in his hometown of Delhi, India, but he’s traveled the world, including to the Arctic Circle. His life has changed dramatically, but he remains committed to climbing and to the cause of promoting adventure sports.
Family
Originally a member of the British Royal Army, Nirmal Purja left the military to pursue his passion for mountaineering in 2018. As a member of the Special Boat Service, a unit of the British Navy, he spent seven months climbing 14 8,000-meter peaks. He also climbed Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu on the same day, which is a first.
The Special Boat Service is a British military unit that specializes in cold weather warfare. It’s considered one of the most elite units in the British army.
Nims was born in Dana village, in western Nepal. His father was a Gurkha soldier, and his mother was a farmer. Nims and his parents moved to a less-developed part of Nepal when he was four.
Career
Known for his high altitude achievements, Nirmal Purja is a Nepalese mountaineer. His accomplishments include climbing the highest peaks in the world, such as Everest, K2, Lobuche East, and Makalu. His achievements have earned him several mountaineering world records. In 2019, Nims Purja made a major claim by conquering 14 8,000-metre mountains in just seven months.
Purja’s climbs include the first successful ascent of K2 in the winter. He also holds the world record for climbing K2 without the use of supplemental oxygen. Nims Purja is credited with persuading the Chinese government to open Shishapangma, the highest mountain in the world.
Nirmal Purja also holds the world record for climbing Mount Everest in two days. Purja climbed Mount Everest in 2012, followed by an Everest summit in 2017. He completed Mount Everest once again in 2017. His climbs have boosted his reputation as a mountaineer. He has been featured in many media outlets. He has also won numerous awards.
First winter ascent of K2
During the winter months, the Himalaya is a cold place to be. Temperatures can drop to -65 degrees and barometric pressure is low. As a result, climbing in the winter season is far more difficult.
It’s a technically difficult climb and has a high death rate. Most of the climbs have been led by western climbers who have relied on Sherpa support. However, as Sherpas have started climbing for themselves, they have developed the skills and resources to lead their own expeditions.
Nirmal Purja was the first to climb K2 in the winter without the use of oxygen. He led an all-Nepali team that included 10 climbers. His team consisted of Mingma Gyalje Sherpa, Mingma Tenzi Sherpa and Mingma David Sherpa.
Challenge Project Possible
During the summer of 2019, Nirmal “Nims” Purja, a former Gurkha soldier in the British Army, set a world record by completing 14 8,000-meter mountains in less than six months. The feat was so impressive that it caught the attention of mainstream media.
Nirmal Purja and his team took a veritable blitz across the Himalaya. They summited three mountains in Nepal within 48 hours. The feat had many merits, but it was the photo of the log jam at Everest that caught the world’s attention.
The feat was not without its critics. Some alpinists considered it a faux pas. Others were more generous.
Nirmal Purja’s challenge was the first of its kind to be led by a non-British Gurkha. He also broke six world records in the process.
Film 14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible
Described as a “must see documentary,” 14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible tells the story of Nirmal “Nimsdai” Purja. He’s a Nepalese mountaineer who set out to climb all 14 of the world’s 8000-meter peaks in seven months.
Purja set out on his expedition with a team of Sherpas, Nepalese mountain guides. His goal was to raise funds for a charity called Project Possible. He hopes to inspire other climbers and defy the naysayers.
A few months after the completion of Purja’s first expedition, he arranged for the release of his footage. He didn’t have a documentary deal in mind when he took the footage. But the director, Torquil Jones, decided to make a film about it. He compiled footage of Purja’s expedition with archival clips and interviews with world-renowned mountaineers.
