Dawa Yangzum Sherpa becomes first Nepali woman to complete all 14 peaks

Dawa Yangzum Sherpa, who scaled Everest at the age of 21, became the first woman to become the IFMGA certified guide, and now the first Nepali female climber to complete all 14 peaks.

Oct 09, 2024 | Everest Chronicle

Renowned mountaineer Dawa Yangzum Sherpa on Wednesday scaled Mount Shishapangma, becoming Nepal’s first female climber to summit all 14 peaks above 8,000m, said expedition organizer.

Dawa is the first Asian woman IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide. In 2017, she earned mountaineering's most elite title—an IFMGA. In 2019, she joined The North Face as an athlete. She has been the first brand ambassador for international brand.

In 2021, she became the first Nepali as well the youngest athlete to become brand ambassador for Rolex. She is also the brand ambassador for Lekki and Oakley sun glasses.

In 2014, she scaled Mt K2 with her climbing companions Maya Sherpa and Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Akita. They were the first Nepalese women on the world’s second highest mountain. Dawa was the youngest climber of the team.

In 2019, she scaled Annapurna I without supplemental oxygen. She is also the first Nepali female climber to summit Mt Makalu in 2019. In 2022, Dawa scaled Mt Makalu in record 20 hour, the fastest among female climbers. She is also the first Nepali female climber to summit Broad Peak.

As a professional guide, Dawa led the National Geographic scientific research team to Mt Everest 2019, 2022 and 2023. She has been mentoring Nepali girls who aspire for mountaineering. Dawa is also the second vice president of Nepal Mountaineering Association, an umbrella organization of mountaineering community.

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