KATHMANDU, March 8, 2026 – Renowned Nepali mountaineer and photojournalist Purnima Shrestha has officially secured her place in the Guinness Book of World Records by becoming the first woman to scale Mount Everest three times within a single climbing season.
The announcement was made to coincide with the 126th International Women’s Day, adding a significant layer of empowerment to her milestone. Shrestha achieved this unprecedented feat during the Spring 2024 climbing season, reaching the summit of the world’s highest peak (8,848.86m) on three separate occasions within just 13 days.
The Journey to the Record
Working with 8K Expeditions, Shrestha’s record-breaking triple ascent was completed with the following timeline:
- First Summit: May 12, 2024
- Second Summit: May 19, 2024
- Third Summit: May 25, 2024
By completing the third ascent, she surpassed all previous records for female climbers in a single season, bringing her total lifetime Everest summits to four (including her first climb in 2018).
A Message of Empowerment
Reflecting on her historical achievement, Shrestha expressed deep pride and dedicated her success to women worldwide. In her Women’s Day message, she shared:
“I feel immensely proud to share this achievement. I hope that every woman who dares to dream can reach the summits of success—no matter how impossible they may seem—through firm resolve, courage, and tireless hard work.”
Beyond Everest
Purnima Shrestha is no stranger to high-altitude records. A photojournalist by profession, she has successfully climbed eight peaks above 8,000 meters, including K2, Annapurna I, and Dhaulagiri. She is widely recognized as one of Nepal’s fastest female climbers to complete multiple 8,000-meter peaks, consistently breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field.
As of early 2026, Shrestha continues to lead expeditions and inspire a new generation of female mountaineers in Nepal and across the globe.
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