An expedition team comprising 10 Nepali climbers who made history by ascending Pakistan's K2 — the second highest mountain — was felicitated by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today.
Speaking at the felicitation programme organised at PM's official residence in Baluwatar, Purja said that he did not have any plan to attempt K2 this season. When he came to know that more than 40 international climbers were set to climb the mountain this winter. He felt like it was a race.
"Nepal is home to mountains above 8,000-metre. The world knows about our Sherpa brothers. Everyone knows who work behind the successful ascent of 8000m mountains, but then, we did not have any record in our name, " Purja said and added, "Nepal has talents. We have put Nepal and sherpa on the global map. "If we unite, we conquer, we divide we fall," he remarked.
He thanked everyone who supported in their endeavour. He also revealed that he and his team members would soon leave for the next mission of scaling mountains over 8000 metres from where they would do paragliding.
On the occasion, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli felicitated the team while the latter handed over Nepal's flag which they had taken with them while setting on the expedition.
PM Oli congratulated the team and said, "Climbing any mountain is tough but climbing K2, the second highest mountain in the world in winter is a big deal. It is impossible for normal people. Nirmal and his team are prodigies. I and my government are always ready to support any such endeavours financially, technically or in any way we can, he added.
On the occasion, Nepal Tourism Board Chief Executive Director Dhanajaya Regmi praised Purja and his team, "Nirmal purja Nepal ko urja," which means Nirmal Purja is the energy of Nepal.
Prior to the programme, various organisations engaged in tourism industry organised a function to honour Nirmal Purja, aka Nims Dai and his team members. One of the team members, Sona Sherpa is yet to arrive in Nepal from Pakistan.
The expedition team members — Nirmal Purja, Gelje Sherpa, Mingma David Sherpa, Mingma G, Sona Sherpa, Mingma Tenzi Sherpa, Pem Chhiri Sherpa, Dawa Temba Sherpa, Kili Pemba Sherpa, and Dawa Tenjing Sherp — ascended the K2 in harsh weather conditions, on January 16, at 17:00 local time. At 8,611 metres (28,251 feet), K2 is the most prominent peak on the Pakistani side of the Himalayan range, and the world’s second-highest after Mount Everest.
Various stakeholders from tourism industries attended the felicitation program.
Earlier in the morning, while hundreds of mountaineers, supporters, family and friends gathered at Tribhuvan International Airport to greet the team upon their arrival, team leader Purja expressed his pleasure that not only he but the whole team worked hard at the same level to make the ascent successful. “We all took a big risk with our lives. We felt like it has to be justice for every team member, Sherpas are not only supporting staff, they are always the leaders of eight-thousanders," said Purja,
K2 was the only mountain in the world that had remained unclimbed in the winter despite numerous attempts since 1987.
Purja was the only team member to summit the mountain without the use of supplemental oxygen, becoming the first individual to do so.
SEE ALSO: Gallery: Heroic welcome to Nepali climbers who scaled K2
