12 down, 2 more to go – Nirmal Purja scales Cho Oyu

  • September 23, 2019

Photo Supplied: Twitter

Following his dream of scaling the world’s 14 highest peaks within seven months, former UK army, Nirmal Purja has successfully climbed Cho Oyo (8,188 m), – Cho Oyu is the world’s sixth highest mountain standing tall in Tibet. Only two mountains remain before he completes his mission.

Nirmal Purja aka Nimsdai in social sites, 36, along with his Project Possible Mission team, stepped upon the top of Cho Oyu this morning, base camp officials said.

According to officials, he was accompanied by Gesman Tamang of the Project Possible team, Lhakpa Ongchhu Sherpa (Himalayan Guides), Chewang Lendu Sherpa (IMG), Pasang Sherpa (IMG), Palden Namgya (Alpenglow), Nima Tenzing Sherpa(Alpenglow) and Pemba Sherpa (Climbalaya).

This is the first mountain of the last phase of three phases that Purja conquered. He is reportedly said to be back within a couple days and would begin to climb Mt Manaslu (Nepal) shortly after, said officials. The last phase is supposed to be over by November.

However, there seems a stumbling block for Purja to accomplish his dream as the northern government has reportedly closed Mt Shisapagnma which lies in Tibet for this year. China is also told to have already given an order to the mountaineers to wrap up their expedition by October 1.

Nevertheless, Nepal government has requested the northern government to provide Purja a permit, but have not got any response from Chinese authority yet, making a thin chance for Purja to continue the project, said an official at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.

Nirmal Purja who on his record building-dream started his mission in April, has climbed 11 mountains in just four months.