Veteran Brazilian climber Waldemar Niclevicz returns to Everest after 30 years
Waldemar Niclevicz, the first Brazilian to summit Mount Everest in 1995, returns to the mountain three decades later to lead a multinational expedition.
8K Expeditions
Veteran Brazilian climber Waldemar Niclevicz, the first from his country to summit Mount Everest, is back in Nepal for a new ascent—30 years after his landmark climb in 1995.
Now 57, Niclevicz is leading a multinational team on the south side of Everest during the 2025 spring climbing season, in partnership with Kathmandu-based expedition operator 8K Expeditions.
“It is an honor to have Waldemar Niclevicz leading a team for the Everest International Expedition,” said Pemba Sherpa, Executive Director of 8K Expeditions.
According to Pemba, there has been a noticeable rise in climbers from South American countries in recent seasons.
“We hope his presence will inspire many more Brazilian climbers to take on the Himalayas in the years to come,” he added.
An accomplished alpinist, author, and motivational speaker, Niclevicz began his mountaineering career in 1991. After summiting Everest in 1995, he became the first Brazilian to climb K2 in 2000 and to complete the Seven Summits—the highest peak on each continent.
His return to Everest coincides with the 30th anniversary of his first ascent and marks a significant milestone in a career that has earned him numerous national honors in Brazil, including the titles of “Honorary Citizen of Curitiba” and “Benefactor of the State of Paraná.”
“Together, let’s make this climb one for the history books,” 8K Expeditions said in a statement.
The 2025 Everest season is shaping up to be particularly busy, with 444 climbers holding permits and more than 2,000 people currently stationed at base camp. Rope-fixing operations are underway above Camp II as teams await a favorable weather window for the season’s first summit push.
Niclevicz’s return is being closely followed by fans in Brazil and the global mountaineering community, as he looks to add another remarkable chapter to a legacy forged across some of the world’s most challenging mountain ranges.
