Meet 'Mountain Queen' Lhakpa Sherpa, who climbed Mount Everest 11 times, once while pregnant; Here's why she wants to continue climbing until 80

Few mountaineers have demonstrated the resilience and determination of Lhakpa Sherpa. Widely known as the "Mountain Queen", the Nepalese climber holds the record for the most successful ascents of Mount Everest by a woman, having reached the summit 11 times.

Her remarkable achievement is even more extraordinary considering the challenges she has faced throughout her life. From growing up in a remote village in Nepal where girls were denied education to working as a house cleaner in the United States between expeditions, Sherpa has continued to defy expectations.

Speaking to the BBC, she said she has no plans to stop climbing anytime soon.


"If I'm healthy, I want to climb Everest until I'm 80."

Lhakpa Sherpa says she wants to climb Everest until she is 80

According to the BBC, Sherpa has balanced motherhood, work and mountaineering throughout her life.

Reflecting on the sacrifices she made, she said: "I went to Everest even when I was pregnant."

She added that after becoming a mother, climbing naturally took a back seat.

"Then I took on the role of a mother for a long time. Otherwise, I would have reached the top of Everest 30 times."

Sherpa explained that she stepped away from climbing Everest for nearly 15 years before making a successful return.

"I took a break from climbing Everest for almost 15 years."

She returned to the mountain and completed her 10th successful ascent in 2022, before later extending her record to 11 summits.

From washing dishes to breaking Everest records

Despite being one of the world's most accomplished mountaineers, Sherpa told the BBC that she never viewed ordinary work as something beneath her.

Between Everest expeditions, she worked various jobs in the United States to support herself and her family.

"Even between trips to climb Everest, I was washing dishes, cleaning houses in the US, and I took on any work that came along."

She added: "Some people may think, 'Oh, I've climbed Everest two or three times and won't do the dishes.' I don't care about such things."

Her comments highlight the contrast between her global achievements and the everyday work she carried out away from the mountains.

Who is Lhakpa Sherpa?

Lhakpa Sherpa was born in a remote village more than 13,000 feet above sea level in Nepal's Makalu region, according to the BBC.

She belongs to the Sherpa ethnic community, whose ancestors migrated from Tibet and are renowned for their ability to live and work in the high Himalayas.

Speaking about her early life, she told the broadcaster: "I was born in a cave."

She added: "I don't even know my date of birth."

Growing up, Sherpa spent much of her childhood carrying her younger brothers to school and walking long distances. However, she herself was not allowed to attend classes because girls in her community were often denied an education.

How Lhakpa Sherpa became the 'Mountain Queen'

Despite having no formal mountaineering education during childhood, Sherpa taught herself the skills needed to climb some of the world's highest peaks.

Her perseverance paid off in 2003, when she became the first woman to climb Mount Everest three times.

Since then, she has continued to push the boundaries of women's mountaineering, eventually setting the record for the highest number of Everest summits by any woman.

Her achievements have earned her the nickname "Mountain Queen", inspiring climbers around the world.

A dream that is far from over

Although many athletes retire after reaching the pinnacle of their careers, Sherpa says she still has unfinished business on the world's highest mountain.

When her daughters asked when she planned to stop climbing, her answer was simple.

"If I'm healthy, I want to climb Everest until I'm 80."

For Lhakpa Sherpa, climbing Everest has never been solely about setting records. It has been about proving that determination, resilience and hard work can overcome even the highest obstacles.

Inputs from TOI