China grants Purja a ‘special permit’ to scale Shishapangma – making Project Possible 14/7 ‘possible’

  • October 1, 2019

Photo: Nirmal Purja/ Twitter

China has granted Nirmal Purja a special permit to climb Mt. Shishapangma, therefore making possible ‘Project Possible 14/7 – a mission to scale all 14 8,000 metres and above peak within 7 months – Shisha Pangma is his last peak.

While he managed to complete scaling the 13 others within 5 months (in the process setting another world record), concerns had risen after China had closed Mt. Shishapangma to summiteers for 2019. To complete his mission it was essential he be atop the mountain before November 22.

According to Dawa Sherpa, managing director at Climbalaya Trek, China and Tibet Mountaineering Association has sent him a message informing him that they would provide a special permit to Purja to complete his mission. Purja and his team are jubilant with the announcement as Nepal government and Chinese government considered his plea to scale Mt Shisapangma.

Chinese authorities have provided the permit as per Nepal government’s request.

Chinese Mountaineering Authority would start a process to issue the permit for Purja from Oct 8 as government offices are closed for a week to celebrate the nation’s 70th anniversary of Communism.