Local climbers are claiming records on the highest peak on Earth.
Phunjo Jhangmu Lama climbed Everest in 14.5 hours, the female Fastest Known Time. She set off from Base Camp at 3:52 pm on Wednesday and summited at 6:23 am on Thursday.
Phunjo also had a previous record time in 2018, when she summited Everest in 39 hours and 6 minutes. However, three years later, Ada Tsang Yin-hung of Hong Kong surpassed her by climbing the mountain in 25 hours and 50 minutes. Now, the Nepalese has reclaimed the title.
Phunjo is a local celebrity and a role model for Nepalese women. An ultrarunner, she is also the first Nepalese female helicopter long-line rescuer. The government has given her the Tenzing-Hilary Award, according to The Himalayan Times.
Other local records
Dawa Finjok Sherpa, working with Seven Summit Treks, has summited Everest three times in just eight days. He topped out on May 12, 17, and 20.
The tireless Kami Rita Sherpa, who achieved his 30th Everest summit yesterday (and his second this season) may still have time for a third ascent, breaking his total summits record again.
Purnima Shrestha is also planning to climb Everest a third time this season before the monsoon.
