Popular Nepali singer Raju Lama, frontman of the folk-rock band Mongolian Heart, has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, marking his fourth success in the prestigious Seven Summits challenge.

Lama reached the 5,895-metre summit with IFMGA-certified mountain guide Abiral Rai on August 11. They dedicated the ascent to the 10 climbers killed in the Broad Peak avalanche in Pakistan last month.

At the summit, Lama performed a song in memory of the fallen climbers. Renowned Nepali climber Gelje Sherpa and Adriana Brownlee, the youngest woman to climb all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks, stood alongside him holding a banner bearing the names of those killed in the avalanche.

Six of the 10 climbers killed were Nepali, including renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja 'Nimsdai'. The other Nepali victims were Pur Bahadur Gurung 'Yukta', Kili Pemba Sherpa 'Kilu', Nima Sherpa, Gyalu Sherpa and Nawang Thindu Sherpa.

The other victims were Wang Zhong of China, Nadhira Al Harthy of Oman, Sohail Sakhi of Pakistan and Mallory Geis of the United States.

“The Broad Peak tragedy is one of the worst known incidents in which all members of an expedition were killed, including record-holding climbers who inspired generations of mountaineers,” Rai said after the ascent.

For Rai, the Kilimanjaro climb was his sixth ascent of the highest mountains on six of the world’s seven continents. Only Denali in North America remains before he can complete the Seven Summits, the challenge of climbing the highest peak on each continent.

If successful, Rai will become the first person from his community, an ethnic group from eastern Nepal, to complete the challenge.

Born in Solukhumbu, in the shadow of Mount Everest, Rai comes from a community whose members have traditionally worked as mountain porters. He is among the few from his background to progress to becoming an IFMGA-certified mountain guide.

Rai, three time Everest summiteer, has credited former Gurkha soldier and mountaineer Hari Budha Magar with playing an important role in his Seven Summits campaign. He travelled with Magar on expeditions to Everest, Aconcagua, Carstensz Pyramid and Mount Vinson, working as a mountain guide, photographer and videographer.

Now, he has joined forces with Lama. “It made my climb easier,” Rai said.

Lama said Rai’s experience had made the ascent feel safer and more comfortable.

“Abiral makes the climb secure and easy. He is not just a trained and experienced guide; he takes care of you and makes it feel like home. He is like my little brother, whom I trust fully,” Lama said.

The latest ascent was the second international expedition Rai and Lama have undertaken together. They previously climbed Mount Elbrus, Europe’s highest peak.

With Kilimanjaro, Lama has now climbed the highest peaks of four continents: Everest in Asia, Carstensz Pyramid in Oceania, Elbrus in Europe and Kilimanjaro in Africa.

The pair plan to attempt Denali together on a future expedition, Rai said.

Rai has also worked extensively behind the camera, contributing as a photographer and videographer to National Geographic, Outside Magazine and other international and Nepali media.

He is currently treasurer of the Nepal National Mountain Guide Association (NNMGA).

Rai said the collaboration, trust and opportunities provided by Magar had been instrumental in his progress towards completing the Seven Summits.