Climbing Everest once is an impossible task for many. Lakba, an American Nepali, climbed Mount Everest for the tenth time at the age of 48!
Lakba was born in a mountain village in Nepal at a time when women were not sent to school without electricity. He would do farm work, carry his brothers on his back, walk long distances and do all the work that would get him to school. Hard life. Everest can be seen from Lakba’s house. It kept calling him something. He thinks that one day he will have to climb Everest.
Trekking became popular after 1953. The Sherpa men also accompanied the trekkers. They were paid for it. Lakba decided to go with the trekkers himself. But, the trek was stopped by the parents because it was risky and it was men’s work. Warned that no one will get married. He bravely climbed the mountain that it was okay not to get married, Lakba.
“I will never forget the day I first climbed Everest. I am no longer a woman doing housework. I shouted ‘Mountaineer’. I was so glad I did the big feat. I do not remember all the hardships I had endured till then. It is not enough to experience this happiness only once. I decided to continue climbing the mountain. I was hopeful that many more women would look at me and come out for their cause, ”said Lakba.
Lakba climbed Everest three times between 2000 and 2003. The third time the brother climbed with his sister, he also created the record of ‘siblings climbing Everest’ with the siblings!
Lakpa moved to the United States, marrying a mountaineer named George, a Romanian living in the United States. She took a break from trekking for a few years as the children were born. In 2015 the marriage ended. The entire responsibility of saving the children came to Lakba. He got jobs like cleaning dishes, cleaning the house and caring for the elderly.
As life began to move on without a hitch, the thought of climbing again came to mind. Lakba’s children were supportive of the mother’s ambition. Lakba’s income is not enough to buy and travel for trekking. Lakpa continued to trek as friends and acquaintances offered to help. Climbed Everest for the ninth time in 2018!
The tenth trek was postponed due to the Govt infection. The fundraiser has successfully completed the trekking record for the tenth time!
“As everyone says, climbing Everest is dangerous. Three hundred people have lost their lives trying to climb the mountain so far. Life is not guaranteed until it comes down safely. The mountain will determine our journey. The environment is constantly changing from minute to minute. Even if we reach the summit of Everest with so much effort we will not be more than ten minutes. After recording the record, we take a picture and start descending. I did not earn by trekking. The achievement of an ordinary woman like me is never celebrated. But the satisfaction that my life is meaningful without being paralyzed at home is what keeps me going uphill more and more, ”says Lakba.
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