Norwegian Woman, Sherpa Guide Set Record Time Scaling 8000m Peaks

In a spectacular display of skill and determination, a Norwegian woman and her Sherpa guide achieved the seemingly impossible on Thursday, conquering the majestic Mount K2 in Pakistan.

Kristin Harila, 37, and Nepal's Tenjen (Lama) Sherpa, 35, reached the summit of K2, the second-highest mountain in the world at 8,611 metres (28,251 feet), along with eight other experienced guides. 

Record Time Scaling All 8000m Peaks

This remarkable achievement earned them the title of the world's fastest climbers to scale all peaks above 8,000 metres, accomplishing this feat in just over three months.

The groundbreaking ascent was confirmed by Tashi Lakpa Sherpa, managing director of Seven Summit Treks (SST), the Nepali organising company providing logistics to the climbers. Tashi stated, "They have become the fastest to climb all 14 peaks," relaying the information from the base camp in Kathmandu to Reuters. 

Climbing all 14 of the highest peaks in the world within such a short time frame is a remarkable and challenging endeavour, often taking years to complete for many climbers.

This extraordinary achievement surpassed the previous record set by Nirmal Purja from Nepal in 2019, who accomplished the same feat in six months and one week. 

However, while the climbers' latest accomplishment has been corroborated by other mountaineers on the mountain, it is still pending confirmation by the Guinness Book of World Records.

The remarkable journey of Kristin Harila and Tenjen Sherpa began on April 26 when they conquered Shishapangma in Tibet, China. From there, they pushed on, scaling Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Annapurna in Nepal before venturing to Pakistan. 

There, they braved the challenging peaks of Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum I, Gasherbrum II, and Broad Peak before ultimately reaching the summit of K2. In an astonishing display of endurance, they completed this awe-inspiring journey, conquering all 14 peaks in an incredible 92 days.

Garrett Madison, who is leading a different expedition for the U.S.-based Madison Mountaineering company on K2, praised the climbers for their tenacity. He disclosed to Reuters, "They have made a summit a short while ago," commending Kristin Harila's indomitable mental and physical strength. Such an accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and perseverance these climbers displayed throughout their arduous journey.

Furthermore, in addition to their record-setting achievement, this historic climb also witnessed another extraordinary feat. Nima Rinjin Sherpa, a 17-year-old Sherpa, made history by becoming the youngest person to scale Mount K2, adding another remarkable milestone to this already astounding endeavour.

As the news of this awe-inspiring achievement spreads across the globe, the mountaineering community and adventure enthusiasts alike are in awe of Kristin Harila and Tenjen Sherpa's incredible accomplishment. 

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