Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Akita
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Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Akita (born 1984)[1] is a Nepali Sherpa mountaineer. She was the first woman in Nepal to become a mountaineering instructor, was one of the first Nepali women to reach the summit of K2, and has been active in earthquake relief in Nepal.[2] In 2016, she was named National Geographic's People’s Choice Adventurer of the Year,[3][4] and was presented with the 45th International Alpine Solidarity Award in Pinzolo, Italy.[5]
Akita was the first woman to climb Nangpai Gosum II, in 2006.[1] In 2007 she climbed Mount Everest,[6] 14 years after another climber with the same name, Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, became the first Nepali woman to climb Everest but died in the descent.[7][8]
Akita climbed K2 in 2014 as part of a three-woman team, the first team of Nepali women to climb the mountain.[9][10] Climbing with Akita were Maya Sherpa and Dawa Yangzum Sherpa; they were part of a larger expedition that also included other (male) Sherpas and climbers.[11] The climb was dedicated to climate change awareness, and took place on the 60th anniversary of the first ascent of K2.[9]
She has also climbed Yala Peak, Ama Dablam,[12] Lobuche,[6] Imja Tse,[8] and Aconcagua.[5] As well as mountaineering in Nepal, she has guided mountaineering expeditions in the USA, Argentina, France, and Pakistan.[5]
Activism
Akita joined the Nomads Clinic, a medical service for remote regions of the Himalayas, in 2013.[1] After the April 2015 Nepal earthquake, she worked in the relief efforts, distributing blankets, helping make shelters for people that the earthquake had left homeless,[3] organizing temporary medical facilities,[5] coordinating relief convoys, and preventing trafficking of victims.[1] She is also developing a foundation to assist women's education in Nepal.[6]