Nirmal Purja completes world-first summit of K2 in winter

Until now, it was a record that was believed to be impossible to accomplish and was famously known as the ‘last great mountaineering challenge’. Here is all you need to know:

On January 16, 2021, at 5pm local time the former Gurkha and UK Special Forces operative and his team, along with Team Mingma G and one mountaineer from Team SST, officially became the first mountaineers to ever summit K2 in winter. A huge feat for the Nepalese climbing community.

Nirmal “Nims” Purja before his winter attack on K2 on January 5, 2021. PHOTO: Nimsdai / Red Bull Content Pool

The whole team waited and then stepped onto the summit together while singing the Nepalese national anthem. The mountaineers climbed the Abruzzi route.

Purja said: "What a journey. I’m humbled to say that, as a team, we have summitted the magnificent K2 in extreme winter conditions. We set out to make the impossible possible and we are honoured to be sharing this moment, not only with the Nepalese climbing community but with communities all across the world. Mother Nature always has bigger things to say and standing on the summit, witness to the sheer force of her extremities, we are proud to have been a part of history for humankind and to show that collaboration, teamwork and a positive mental attitude can push limits to what we feel might be possible. Thank you for the support we’ve received from people all around the globe, it gave us fire in our chest to make this goal a reality."

The full list of those who summitted K2 in winter is: Nirmal Purja (Team Nimsdai), Mingma David Sherpa (Team Nimsdai), Mingma Tenzi Sherpa (Team Nimsdai), Geljen Sherpa (Team Nimsdai), Pem Chiri Sherpa (Team Nimsdai), Dawa Temba Sherpa (Team Nimsdai), Mingma G (Team Mingma G), Dawa Tenzing Sherpa (Team Mingma G), Kilu Pemba Sherpa (Team Mingma G) and Sona Sherpa (Team SST). PHOTO: Nimsdai / Red Bull Content Pool

Nirmal “Nims” Purja, Dawa Tenji Sherpa (team MG), Mingma G, Dawa Temba Sherpa and Pem Chiri Sherpa, Mingma David sherpa, Mingma Tenzi Sherpa, Nimsdai Purja and Gelje Sherpa at the Puja ceremony before the winter attack on K2 on January 5, 2021. PHOTO: Nimsdai / Red Bull Content Pool

Standing 8,611m above sea level, K2 was the only 8,000m peak in the world that had never been climbed during winter. In fact, it was considered by many to be an impossible task due to the inclement weather conditions.

Attempts on the mountain are normally made in July or August, during the warmest periods; only 280 people had reached the summit of K2 in a favourable Spring climbing season, compared to 3,681 who have made it to the top of Everest.

Nirmal “Nims” Purja before his winter attack on K2 on January 5, 2021. PHOTO: Nimsdai / Red Bull Content Pool

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