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| Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Akita |
Nepal’s mountaineer Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Akita has been named the 2016 National Geographic People’s Choice Adventurer of the Year for her courageous efforts to help her fellow Nepalis after last year’s devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake, according to a news report posted on the official website of the organizer.
The report published by the National Geographic states that she was selected from a group of adventure innovators whose extraordinary achievements in exploration, conservation, humanitarianism and adventure sports distinguished them in the past year. The 10 honorees were announced on November 13 last year, and the public was invited to vote through January 31, for the People’s Choice Adventurer of the Year.
“I am very humbled and happy to receive this award, although I believe there are many other adventurers who also deserve it,” the website quoted Pasang Lhamu as saying.
“I would like to thank my supporters back home in Nepal and around the world, and I am very appreciative to get all of their support. I would also like to thank National Geographic for recognizing our efforts helping Nepal. Personally, I hope receiving this award will encourage more women all over the world, especially in Asia, to enter the mountaineering world.”
Pasang Lhamu is considered one of the best women climbers in Nepal. She played a crucial and ongoing role in relief efforts in Nepal after the severe earthquake in April 25 last year. Using her social network, she raised money to buy and distribute supplies, including mobilizing local porters to reach remote villages, the report further states.
Since then, Pasang Lhamu has helped provide more than 10,000 blankets to people in need in the most remote communities in the Dolpo region of western Nepal, which is experiencing a particularly cold winter, and guided clients up two significant mountains: 22,349-foot Ama Dablam in the Himalayas and 22,838-foot Aconcagua in Argentina. Her focus is on supporting and advocating for girls education in disadvantaged Nepali communities.
In 2014, Pasang Lhamu ascended K2, the second-highest mountain in the world and arguably the most deadly, with two other Nepali women. She was also the first female mountaineering instructor in Nepal and has worked as a guide in the Himalayas and around the globe.
“Pasang’s motivation, strength, compassion and humility have distinguished her as a climber and humanitarian,” said Mary Anne Potts, editorial director of National Geographic Adventure. “Her tireless efforts to serve her fellow Nepalis have made her a role model for women, the people of Nepal and climbers.”
Nepal Tourism News Source: Myrepublica
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