Phurba Tashi Sherpa Mendewa, a renowned Nepalese Sherpa mountaineer, has achieved numerous remarkable ascents of major Himalayan peaks.
Born in Khumjung, Nepal, just 10 kilometers from Mount Everest's base camp, Phurba grew up in a family of climbers, watching his father and uncles embark on expeditions with international mountaineers.
At a young age, Phurba developed a passion for climbing, and his first successful summit of an eight-thousander was Cho Oyu in 1998. The following year, at the age of 28, he successfully summited Mount Everest for the first time.
Phurba's climbing career has been marked by numerous milestones, including his participation in the Discovery Channel series Everest: Beyond the Limit from 2006-2007, where he appeared in 11 episodes. He also carried double-amputee Mark Inglis down a portion of the lower descent on his back.
In 2007, Phurba reached the summit three times in a single season, and that year, he accompanied David Tait on his mission to complete the first double traverse of Everest. Although Tait ultimately decided to bow out of the return traverse, Phurba continued to climb, reaching the summit three times.
Phurba's impressive climbing record includes 21 ascents of Mount Everest, six on Cho Oyu, eight on Manaslu, and one each on Shishapangma and Lhotse.
In May 2013, Phurba completed his 21st summit of Mount Everest, matching the record then held by Apa Sherpa.
