Successful Ascent Achieved Despite Adverse Conditions
Reports from Dhaulagiri Base Camp confirm that between 11:40 AM and 2:00 PM (Nepal Time) today, the Imagine Nepal team successfully reached the summit of Mount Dhaulagiri, the world’s seventh-highest peak at 8,167 meters.
The Sherpa team arrived at Base Camp on March 14 and began route fixing. Although the initial summit push was scheduled for early April, severe storms and heavy snowfall delayed progress. These conditions confined climbers to their tents and destroyed previously fixed ropes and supplies.
Final Summit Push and Climbing Timeline
After ten days of blizzards, a favorable weather window allowed the team to begin their final summit push.
- • April 15: The full team climbed to Camp 2 (C2) and rested for acclimatization. The Sherpa team advanced to Camp 3 (C3), fixing ropes up to 8,000 meters.
- • April 17: The entire team reached C3 and began their summit push late that night.
- • 18 April Summit Day: All nine members successfully reached the summit of Mount Dhaulagiri.
The Summit Team
The successful climbers include:
- 1. Liu Hong 🇨🇳
- 2. Liu Yishi 🇨🇳
- 3. Wang Zhong 🇨🇳
- 4. Christine Vogondy 🇨🇭
- 5. Fur Gyalgen Sherpa 🇳🇵
- 6. Pasang Namgel Sherpa 🇳🇵
- 7. Kili Pemba Sherpa 🇳🇵
- 8. Ngima Nuru Sherpa 🇳🇵
- 9. Pema Chirri Sherpa 🇳🇵
Notable Achievements
- 1. Liu Hong: Music producer dedicated to environmental conservation and mountain cleanup initiatives, who has now added another major Himalayan summit to her achievements.
- 2. Wang Zhong: With this ascent, Wang Zhong now has 10 eight-thousanders to his name, including: Mount Everest, K2, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Manaslu, Annapurna, Gasherbrum I, and now Mount Dhaulagiri. He now aims to complete the remaining four peaks: Gasherbrum II, Broad Peak, Nanga Parbat, and Shishapangma.
- 3. Liu Yishi: At 16 years old, becomes the youngest person to summit Mount Dhaulagiri.
- 4. Christine Vogondy: Has climbed 12 of the 14 eight-thousanders, with only Cho Oyu and Shishapangma remaining.
We extend special recognition to the dedicated Sherpa team, particularly Kili Pemba Sherpa and Ngima Nuru Sherpa, for their tireless efforts in securing ropes and ensuring a safe route to the summit.
The team has safely reached Camp 3, and we wish them a safe return to Base Camp. May the strength and courage gained on Mount Dhaulagiri inspire their future journeys.
We congratulate all climbers on their remarkable achievement.