Guinness record-holding Sherpa climber cremated in Kathmandu
The mountaineer was among six Nepalis killed in the Broad Peak avalanche, becoming the last of the Nepali climbers whose remains were recovered from Pakistan’s Broad Peak
Guinness World Record-holding Nepali mountaineer Kili Pemba Sherpa was cremated in Kathmandu on Friday, becoming the last of the Nepali climbers whose remains were recovered from Pakistan’s Broad Peak to be given final rites in Nepal.
Sherpa, known as Kilu, was among six Nepalis killed when an avalanche struck the 8,047-metre mountain in Pakistan’s Karakoram range on July 30.
His remains, along with those of Nima Sherpa and Gyalu Sherpa, arrived in Kathmandu on August 11. Nima and Gyalu were cremated on Thursday.
Gyalu also set a world record when in 2025, he scaled Kanchenjunga, world's third highest peak, three times in a single season.
The remains of another Nepali climber, Nawang Thindu Sherpa, are still on Broad Peak. Rescuers say his body lies on an exceptionally difficult section of the mountain and cannot safely be brought down. Eight of the 10 climbers killed in the avalanche have been recovered, while partial remains of Nawang and American climber Mallory Geis remain on the mountain.
Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi, who had also been missing, was found on August 12 by local rescuers above Camp I. His body had not been detected during earlier drone searches.
The recovery operation was led by veteran Nepali mountaineer Mingma Gyalje Sherpa, known as Mingma G. After recovering several bodies, the Nepali rescue team left the mountain on foot for Skardu. Military helicopters later transported the remains.
Kili Pemba was one of the 10 Nepali climbers who made the first winter ascent of K2 in 2021. He later worked with Mingma G to establish the true summit of Manaslu, following controversy over previous summit claims.
On July 3, Kili Pemba had completed the ascent of all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks, reaching the summit of Nanga Parbat before joining the Broad Peak expedition. He was guiding Chinese climber Wang Zhong on Broad Peak; Wang, who was also close to completing the 14 peaks, died in the avalanche.
The two men were close climbing partners. Mingma G has described Kili Pemba as his “anchor” and said he plans to build a statue in their home district of Dolakha, where both men grew up.
Kili Pemba had climbed Everest 15 times and made more than 30 ascents of 8,000-metre peaks.
His cremation was attended by fellow climbers, friends and relatives, bringing to an end the funeral rites in Nepal for the Nepali mountaineers whose bodies were recovered from the disaster.
The remains of Nirmal Purja, another victim and one of Nepal’s best-known mountaineers globally, were flown to Britain at his family’s request. Purja, known as Nimsdai, became the first person to climb all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks in less than seven months.
The Broad Peak avalanche was one of the deadliest accidents of this year’s summer climbing season in the Karakoram
