I've conquered the 14 highest mountains, but too many lives have been lost.

Kristin Harila, the record-breaking climber, has announced her retirement from mountaineering.

June 8th 2024.

I've conquered the 14 highest mountains, but too many lives have been lost.
Kristin Harila and her guide, Tenjen 'Lama' Sherpa, made headlines last year when they successfully completed the impressive feat of scaling the world's 14 tallest peaks. Kristin, a Norwegian climber, has had an impressive career, becoming the fastest person to conquer all 14 mountains that stand at over 8,000 meters, also known as eight-thousanders. This record-breaking accomplishment was achieved in just 92 days, beating the previous record held by mountaineer Nirmal 'Nims' Purja, who was featured in the popular Netflix documentary '14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible'.

Kristin and Lama faced many challenges during their journey, including treacherous climbs such as the Khumbu icefall on Mount Everest and the unforgiving K2. However, their achievement was marred by controversy when accusations were made that they had climbed over an injured and dying porter, Muhammad Hassan, on the mountainside of K2. Kristin addressed these claims, stating, "The accident we had on K2 should not have happened. We now know that the porter who died never went above base camp. It's like suicide to attempt such a technical climb without proper equipment and oxygen, not to mention the risk it puts others in."

Despite denying the accusations, Kristin admits that the past year has been incredibly challenging for her. After the tragedy at K2, she continued her journey for over two months before deciding to stop. However, just a few days after she made this decision, Lama tragically passed away in an avalanche on Tibet's Shishapangma mountain. Kristin, who considered Lama to be like a younger brother, was devastated by his death. She immediately traveled to Kathmandu to be with his family but faced difficulties in trying to search for his body as the mountain was closed.

Determined to find Lama's body, Kristin has been raising funds for a search mission, but unfortunately, they were unable to obtain permission to proceed this spring. The search mission, which could cost up to $287,600, has been postponed, as it is often difficult and dangerous to retrieve the bodies of climbers who have passed away on these extreme mountain peaks.

Despite the challenges and tragedies faced, Kristin and Lama's record-breaking achievement is still a remarkable feat. The list of 14 peaks they conquered includes Shishapangma at 8,027 meters, Cho Oyu at 8,188 meters, Makalu at 8,481 meters, Kangchenjunga at 8,586 meters, Mount Everest at 8,848 meters, Lhotse at 8,516 meters, Dhaulagiri I at 8,167 meters, Annapurna I at 8,091 meters, Manaslu at 8,163 meters, Nanga Parbat at 8,126 meters, Gasherbrum II at 8,035 meters, and finally, the challenging Gasherbrum I at 8,080 meters.

Kristin and Lama's incredible achievement will forever be remembered in the world of mountaineering, and their determination and courage will continue to inspire others to push their limits and reach for the highest peaks.
Kristin Harila and her guide, Tenjen 'Lama' Sherpa, recently made headlines for their incredible feat on Gasherbrum I. But this is just one accomplishment in a long and impressive career for the Norwegian climber. In fact, Harila holds the record for being the fastest person to climb the 14 tallest peaks in the world, also known as the eight-thousanders.

Last year, Harila and Lama successfully scaled all 14 peaks in just 92 days, beating the previous record set by Nirmal 'Nims' Purja, who was featured in the popular Netflix documentary "14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible". It was a challenging journey, with the duo facing some of the world's most dangerous climbs, including the treacherous Mount Everest Khumbu icefall and the unforgiving K2.

However, their record-breaking climb was not without controversy. During their ascent of K2, there were claims that Harila and her team had climbed over an injured and dying porter named Muhammad Hassan. Harila addressed these accusations, stating that they should not have happened and clarifying that Hassan had not gone above base camp. She also emphasized the risks not only for themselves but for others when attempting such a climb without proper preparation and equipment.

Harila denied the accusations, calling them "misinformation and hatred" in an interview with CNN. She acknowledged that the past year had been incredibly challenging, especially after the tragedy on K2. Lama, who Harila considers a younger brother, was swept away in an avalanche on Tibet's Shishapangma mountain on October 7, 2020, just meters away from the summit. Harila immediately flew to Kathmandu to be with Lama's family and support them during this difficult time. She had hoped to join a search mission for Lama's body, but they were not granted permission and now must wait longer.

Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon occurrence in the world of mountaineering. Due to the high costs and dangers involved, many bodies of deceased climbers are left on the mountains. Harila has been raising funds for a search mission, estimating that it could cost up to $287,600. This mission was meant to take place this spring, but due to the lack of permission, it has been delayed.

Despite the challenges and tragedies, Harila remains determined to find Lama's body and bring closure to his family and loved ones. She has already achieved an incredible feat by conquering the 14 highest peaks in the world in just 92 days. These peaks include Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Kangchenjunga, Mount Everest, Lhotse, Dhaulagiri I, Annapurna I, Manaslu, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum II, and Gasherbrum I.

Harila and Lama's accomplishment is a testament to their strength, determination, and love for mountaineering. They have inspired many and will continue to do so with their record-breaking climb and their enduring bond.

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