Former King Gyanendra congratulates Nirmal Purja and his team for climbing Mount K2

KATHMANDU: Former King Gyanendra Shah has congratulated the Nepali climbers, including Nirmal Purja, on their successful ascent of the world’s second highest mountain, Mount K2 in Pakistan.

Issuing a statement on Friday, Shah said, “I express my heartfelt congratulations and respect for this courageous ascent even in the coldest weather of winter.”

He has further stated that he was very happy to know that a team of Nepali climbers including Nirmal Purja, who set a world record by climbing 14 mountains of the world at an altitude above 8,000 meters, including Mount Everest within a span of six months and six days.

Former King Gyanendra also said that Nepal is a country with many high mountains in the world and a country of many brave climbers, guides and inspirers.

Ten Nepali climbers including Nirmal Purja ascended the Pakistan-based 8,611 metres tall peak Mount K2 in winter season, becoming the first climbers to scale the 8,611 metres tall peak in the winter season. Mounut K2 is regarded as one of the killer mountain, and very hard to climb even in other seasons.

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• Nepali mountaineers set record, first to scale Mount K2 in winter

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has also felicitated Nepali team at the PM’s official residence at Baluwatar. They were received at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu with heroic welcome.

The mountaineers making the first ever winter ascent are Mingma Gyalje Sherpa, Nirmal Purja, Mingma David Sherpa, Gelje Sherpa, Sona Sherpa, Mingma Tenzi Sherpa, Pem Chhiri Sherpa, Dawa Temba Sherpa, Kili Pemba Sherpa and Dawa Tenjing Sherpa.

They scaled the world’s second highest mountain at around 3 pm Pakistan time on Saturday. It is said Mt K2 was the last over 8,000-metre peak to have never been climbed in winter.

The 10 climbers were from three different expeditions but they decided to reach the summit together to claim the success for Nepal.