Nirmal Purja (Nimsdai) & Mount Everest: 40+ Most Asked Questions Answered

Sushil Tiwari 19th Aug, 2026

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Nirmal “Nims” Purja, widely known as Nimsdai, was one of the most extraordinary and controversial high-altitude mountaineers of the modern era. The Nepal-born former British Gurkha and Special Boat Service soldier became internationally famous after completing the world's 14 mountains above 8,000 metres in only 189 days (6 months and 6 days) during his 2019 Project Possible expedition.

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His story later became the subject of the Netflix documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.

However, Nimsdai's story ended tragically in July 2026 when he was killed in an avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistanat the age of 43. His death came while he was pursuing another extraordinary mountaineering objective.

This comprehensive guide answers the most frequently searched questions about Nimsdai Purja, Everest, the 14 eight-thousanders, K2, oxygen use, his family, records, and his legacy.

Quick Facts About Nirmal Purja

Category	Details
Full name	Nirmal Purja
Popular name	Nims / Nimsdai
Born	25 July 1983
Birthplace	Myagdi, Nepal
Nationality	Nepali / British
Military background	British Gurkhas and Special Boat Service
Wife	Suchi Purja
Daughter	Himani Purja
Famous achievement	All 14 eight-thousanders in 189 days
Everest ascents	7 known successful ascents by 2026
First 8,000m peak	Dhaulagiri
Annapurna	Yes
K2	Yes
First winter ascent of K2	Yes, January 2021
Oxygen	Used supplemental oxygen during 2019 Project Possible; later completed all 14 true summits without oxygen
50th 8,000m ascent	Nanga Parbat, July 2025
Death	Broad Peak avalanche, Pakistan, July 2026
Age at death	43

1. Is Nimsdai Purja still alive?

No. Nirmal “Nimsdai” Purja died in July 2026.

Purja was caught in a major avalanche on Broad Peak, Pakistan, on 31 July 2026 while leading an expedition. He was 43 years old.

His death was subsequently confirmed by his expedition company and reported by major Nepali and international media. Rescue teams later recovered his body from the mountain.

This is an important update because older webpages and social-media posts may still describe Nims as alive or actively climbing.

2. How many times has Nirmal Purja climbed Everest?

Nirmal Purja climbed Mount Everest seven times during his career.

His documented Everest ascents include:

13 May 2016
15 May 2017
27 May 2017
22 May 2019
31 May 2021
15 May 2022
2026

His sixth Everest ascent in 2022 was particularly notable because he climbed Everest without supplemental oxygen and then crossed to Lhotse.

Nims was not the record-holder for most Everest ascents. That record belongs to Kami Rita Sherpa, who reached Everest for the 32nd time in May 2026.

3. Did Nims really climb all 14 peaks?

Yes, but there is an important qualification.

Nims completed his original Project Possible in 2019, climbing all 14 mountains above 8,000 metres in 189 days.

However, later research raised questions about whether his 2019 ascents of Dhaulagiri and Manaslu reached their respective geographical true summits. The 2019 expedition stopped short of what later became accepted as the true summit points.

Purja subsequently returned and climbed the true summits of both mountains in 2021.

Therefore, the most accurate explanation is:

Nims completed the 14×8,000m challenge in 189 days in 2019, but later completed the disputed true summits as well.

He subsequently went even further: in 2024 he completed all 14 true summits without supplemental oxygen, setting another Guinness World Record.

This distinction is important for any serious article about Nimsdai's mountaineering record.

4. Why is Nirmal Purja famous?

Nirmal Purja became famous for several reasons.

His biggest achievement

He climbed all 14 of the world's 8,000-metre mountains in just 189 days, reducing a record that had previously taken almost eight years.

His military background

Before becoming a full-time mountaineer, he served in the British Gurkhas and later the Special Boat Service (SBS).

His speed

He became famous for extremely rapid ascents, including climbing Everest, Lhotse and Makalu within approximately 48 hours during Project Possible.

His rescue work

During several expeditions, Nims participated in high-altitude rescue operations, sometimes sacrificing his own summit objectives to help other climbers.

His K2 achievement

He was part of the team that achieved the first winter ascent of K2 in January 2021.

His documentary

His story became globally famous through Netflix's documentary:

14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible

Netflix describes the film as the story of Nimsdai's attempt to climb all 14 eight-thousanders in seven months.

5. Who broke Nims Purja's 14-peaks record?

The 14-peaks speed record was broken by Norwegian climber Kristin Harila and Nepali climber Tenjen Lama Sherpa.

They completed all 14 eight-thousanders in just 92 days, finishing on K2 on 27 July 2023.

Their achievement dramatically surpassed Nimsdai's 189-day record. Guinness World Records recognizes Harila and Tenjen Lama Sherpa as the fastest to climb all 14 eight-thousanders.

So:

Climber	Time for 14 peaks
Jerzy Kukuczka	About 7 years
Kim Chang-ho	7 years 310 days
Nirmal Purja	189 days
Kristin Harila & Tenjen Lama Sherpa	92 days

6. What is the oldest body still on Everest?

There is no officially verified answer to the question "oldest body still on Everest."

Several bodies have remained on Everest for decades because recovering a body from extreme altitude is extremely dangerous, expensive and technically difficult.

One of the most famous is Green Boots, widely believed to be the body of Indian climber Tsewang Paljor, who died during the 1996 Everest disaster.

Another famous case is Hannelore Schmatz, a German climber who died in 1979 at approximately 8,200 metres. Her body became one of the best-known landmarks on the south route but was eventually moved by natural forces and/or recovery efforts.

Therefore, it is misleading to state confidently that one particular body is "the oldest body still on Everest."

7. What is Nims doing today?

As of 19 August 2026, Nimsdai is no longer alive.

He died following the Broad Peak avalanche in Pakistan on 31 July 2026.

Before his death, he was still actively pursuing extremely ambitious mountaineering projects. His 2026 climbing plans included continuing his high-altitude record campaign and working toward another historic milestone.

His final expedition became a Broad Peak expedition in Pakistan.

Today, his work continues primarily through his legacy, companies, foundation activities, climbing records, books, films and the climbers he inspired.

8. What was Nimsdai Purja's net worth?

There is no reliable independently verified public figure for Nirmal Purja's personal net worth.

Some websites have published estimates of approximately US$10 million, but these should be treated as estimates rather than confirmed financial information.

Nims' income and business activities included:

Expedition and guiding businesses
Speaking engagements
Sponsorships
Brand partnerships
Books
Documentary/media opportunities
Mountaineering-related commercial activities

His 2019 Project Possible was initially heavily self-funded, including through the remortgaging of his house, before sponsorship and fundraising helped finance the expedition.

Recommended webpage wording:
"Nirmal Purja's exact net worth was never publicly verified. Online estimates have placed it in the multi-million-dollar range, but these figures should not be considered official."

9. How old is the oldest Everest climber?

The record for the oldest person to summit Mount Everest belongs to Japanese climber Yuichiro Miura.

He reached the summit on 23 May 2013, aged:

80 years, 223 days.

He remains the Guinness World Records holder for oldest male Everest summiter.

10. How many climbers have died on Everest?

Approximately 339 deaths were recorded through the end of 2025, according to figures compiled from the Himalayan Database.

Additional deaths occurred during the 2026 season, so the real current total is above 339.

Alan Arnette's 2026 Everest statistics give:

339 deaths through December 2025
229 on the Nepal side
110 on the Tibet side

The Himalayan Database is continually updated, and different sources can show slightly different totals depending on whether deaths around Base Camp, Lhotse and shared routes are counted.

More than 200 bodies are believed to remain on Everest because recovering them can endanger additional climbers.

11. Did Nirmal Purja climb K2?

Yes.

Nims climbed K2 multiple times.

His most famous K2 achievement was being part of the team that completed the first winter ascent of K2 on 16 January 2021.

K2 is 8,611 metres high and is widely regarded as one of the most technically demanding mountains on Earth.

Purja later climbed K2 again without supplemental oxygen.

12. What is the hardest of the 14 eight-thousanders?

There is no universally agreed single "hardest" mountain because difficulty can mean different things.

K2

K2 is widely regarded as the most technically demanding of the 14.

Reasons include:

Extremely steep climbing
Technical rock and ice
Severe weather
High avalanche and serac danger
The Bottleneck
Very limited safe weather windows

Annapurna I

Annapurna I is often regarded as the most dangerous statistically, particularly because of avalanche and objective-hazard exposure.

So a useful distinction is:

K2 = often considered the hardest technically.
Annapurna I = historically among the deadliest by fatality rate.

13. Did Nirmal Purja use oxygen?

Yes — during his original 2019 Project Possible campaign, Nims used supplemental oxygen.

He made a deliberate decision to use bottled oxygen during much of the 2019 14-peaks campaign because of the speed of the project and the need to remain functional at extreme altitude.

This does not mean that Nims was an "oxygen-only" climber.

In later years, he completed increasingly difficult climbs without supplemental oxygen.

Most importantly, in 2024 Guinness recognized him for the fastest true-summit ascent of all 14 eight-thousanders without supplemental oxygen, completed in 2 years and 150 days.

14. Who climbed Everest 11 times?

If you mean the woman with 11 Everest ascents, the answer is:

Lhakpa Sherpa

Lhakpa Sherpa reached Everest for the 11th time on 17 May 2026, extending her world record for the most Everest summits by a woman.

She has climbed from both Nepal and Tibet.

If you mean the historical person who first reached 11 Everest ascents, that was Apa Sherpa.

Apa eventually reached Everest 21 times before Kami Rita Sherpa surpassed his record.

15. Who is a famous Nepali mountain climber?

Nepal has produced many world-famous mountaineers.

Some of the best known include:

Tenzing Norgay
Kami Rita Sherpa
Apa Sherpa
Ang Rita Sherpa
Nirmal Purja
Lhakpa Sherpa
Pasang Lhamu Sherpa
Mingma Gyalje Sherpa
Mingma David Sherpa
Chhurim Sherpa
Tenjen Lama Sherpa

Nimsdai belongs to the newest generation of Nepali climbers who transformed Nepalese mountaineering from a support role into globally recognized leadership in high-altitude expedition climbing.

16. Is Nirmal Purja still alive?

No.

Nirmal Purja died in the Broad Peak avalanche in Pakistan on 31 July 2026.

He was 43.

His death was confirmed by his expedition organization and subsequently reported by Nepali and international media.

17. Who is Nirmal Purja's wife?

Nirmal Purja's wife is Suchi Purja.

The couple married in 2006.

Suchi supported Nims throughout his mountaineering career and appeared in the documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.

She has generally maintained a relatively private public profile.

18. Did Nims Purja climb Annapurna?

Yes.

Annapurna I was the first mountain of Project Possible.

Nims reached the summit of Annapurna I on 23 April 2019, beginning the extraordinary 14-peaks campaign.

Annapurna is 8,091 metres high and is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous of the 14 eight-thousanders.

His Annapurna expedition was also associated with dramatic high-altitude rescue operations.

19. Is 14 Peaks a true story?

Yes.

Netflix's 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible is a documentary about the real-life Project Possible expedition.

It follows Nirmal Purja and his team as they attempted to climb all 14 eight-thousanders in seven months.

The documentary uses real expedition footage, interviews and footage captured during the climbing campaign.

It was released on Netflix in 2021.

However, like any documentary, it is edited for storytelling. Therefore, the film should be understood as a documentary interpretation of real events rather than a minute-by-minute historical record.

20. What was Nims Purja's next project?

Before his death, Nims had several major ambitions.

One of his later projects was the Hat-Trick Challenge, involving a third major round of the world's 14 eight-thousanders and the Seven Summits.

By 2025, he had already completed 50 successful 8,000-metre ascents.

In 2026, he was also pursuing the possibility of becoming the first person to climb all 14 eight-thousanders twice without supplemental oxygen.

Before his final Broad Peak expedition, he explained that adding Broad Peak could leave him with only Cho Oyu remaining for that particular objective.

The project was never completed because of the Broad Peak tragedy.

21. Who climbed Everest 29 times?

The famous climber associated with 29 Everest ascents was Kami Rita Sherpa.

However, that is no longer his current record.

Kami Rita continued climbing and reached:

30th Everest summit — 2024
31st — 2025
32nd — 17 May 2026

He now holds the men's world record for most Everest ascents.

22. What famous person died on Everest?

Many famous mountaineers have died on Everest.

Some of the best-known include:

George Mallory

British climber George Mallory disappeared on Everest in 1924. His body was discovered in 1999, but whether he reached the summit before dying remains one of mountaineering's greatest mysteries.

Rob Hall

New Zealand expedition leader Rob Hall died during the 1996 Everest disaster.

Scott Fischer

American guide Scott Fischer also died during the 1996 disaster.

David Sharp

British climber David Sharp died on Everest in 2006, generating a major international debate about the ethics of high-altitude rescue.

Hannelore Schmatz

German climber Hannelore Schmatz died during her descent in 1979.

These stories contributed significantly to Everest's reputation as one of the world's most dangerous mountains.

23. Can a 70-year-old climb Mount Everest?

Yes, it is physically possible, but it is extremely demanding and dangerous.

Everest has been successfully climbed by people over 70.

The record holder, Yuichiro Miura, reached the summit at 80 years and 223 days.

Age alone does not determine whether someone can climb Everest. Factors include:

Cardiovascular fitness
Lung function
Altitude acclimatization
Previous high-altitude experience
Strength and endurance
Medical fitness
Ability to tolerate cold
Mental resilience
Expedition support
Weather conditions

A 70-year-old should not assume that being fit at sea level automatically makes Everest safe.

24. Which celebrity brother died on Everest?

The phrase "celebrity brother who died on Everest" is ambiguous, and there is no single universally recognized Everest victim normally identified by that description.

Everest has claimed the lives of many climbers who were relatives of other well-known people, but without a name it would be misleading to identify one person as the answer.

For a webpage, a better question is:

"Which famous climbers died on Mount Everest?"

That answer includes Rob Hall, Scott Fischer, George Mallory, David Sharp and Hannelore Schmatz.

25. Was Nims Purja a Gurkha?

Yes.

Nirmal Purja served in the British Army's Brigade of Gurkhas and later in the UK's Special Boat Service.

His military career lasted approximately 16 years.

His Gurkha background became an important part of his identity and mountaineering story.

In 2017, he led a Gurkha expedition to Everest involving serving Gurkha soldiers to commemorate 200 years of Gurkha service.

26. Does Nims Purja have kids?

Yes.

Nirmal Purja and Suchi Purja have a daughter named Himani Purja.

The family has generally kept their private life away from the intense public attention surrounding Nims' climbing career.

27. Where did Nims Purja live?

Nims had strong connections to both Nepal and the United Kingdom.

He was born in Myagdi, Nepal, grew up partly in Nepal's Chitwan region and later spent much of his adult life in the UK because of his British military career.

His mountaineering and business activities also gave him a major presence in Kathmandu.

His wife and family had longstanding connections with the UK.

28. Did Nims Purja still climb?

Yes — right up until his final expedition.

Even after completing the original 14-peaks challenge, Nims continued climbing eight-thousanders.

His later achievements included:

First winter ascent of K2
Multiple K2 ascents
All 14 eight-thousanders without oxygen
Seven Summits
50+ 8,000m ascents
Multiple ascents without supplemental oxygen
Additional record attempts

In May 2026, he was still climbing Everest without supplemental oxygen and had reached 54 total 8,000m ascents, according to reporting at the time.

29. Who funded Nirmal Purja?

Project Possible was initially largely self-funded.

This is one of the less well-known parts of the story.

Nims had difficulty convincing sponsors that the 14-peaks project was realistic. He reportedly had only a small fraction of the required funding when the expedition began and used personal financial resources, including remortgaging his house.

As the project gained momentum, he raised money through:

Personal funds
Fundraising
GoFundMe
Corporate sponsorship
Brand partnerships

Bremont became the major sponsor during the expedition, leading to the project being branded Bremont Project Possible.

So the simple answer is:

Nims initially funded much of Project Possible himself, then secured fundraising and major commercial sponsorship, particularly from Bremont.

30. What happened to Nims Purja?

Nims was leading an expedition on Broad Peak in Pakistan in July 2026.

On 31 July, a large avalanche struck the expedition between Camp II and Camp III.

Nims and several other climbers were caught in the avalanche.

After days of extremely difficult rescue operations, his death was confirmed. His body was later recovered from the mountain and brought to Broad Peak Base Camp.

The tragedy killed several highly experienced Nepali mountain professionals and was described by Nepali mountaineering leaders as a devastating loss for the country's climbing community.

31. What is the oldest dead body on Everest?

There is no definitive officially documented "oldest body" still remaining on Everest.

The mountain contains remains from climbers who died decades ago.

One of the oldest famous Everest deaths is Hannelore Schmatz, who died in 1979, while the mystery surrounding George Mallory, who disappeared in 1924, makes him one of the oldest known Everest fatalities.

However, Mallory's body was discovered in 1999 and therefore should not simply be described as the oldest body "still lying on Everest."

This distinction matters because bodies can be moved by avalanches, ice movement, recovery operations and natural erosion.

32. Is K2 deadlier than Everest?

It depends on how "deadlier" is measured.

Total number of deaths

Everest has had far more deaths because dramatically more people have attempted it.

Fatality rate and technical danger

K2 is generally regarded as substantially more dangerous and technically demanding than the standard Everest route.

Annapurna

Annapurna I has historically had one of the highest fatality rates among the 14 eight-thousanders.

A useful summary is:

Mountain	Main reputation
Everest	Highest mountain, heavily commercialized
K2	Extremely technical and dangerous
Annapurna I	Extremely high objective hazard and historically high fatality rate

So saying simply "K2 is deadlier than Everest" without explaining the measurement can be misleading.

33. Is it illegal to climb Mount Everest?

No. Climbing Everest is not illegal.

However, climbing Everest without the required permission is illegal.

Climbers must comply with the regulations of the country from which they climb:

Nepal for the south side
China/Tibet for the north side

Requirements include climbing permits, expedition registration, insurance and compliance with applicable mountaineering regulations.

Nepal has also introduced stricter rules concerning climber experience and expedition safety.

Therefore:

Climbing Everest = legal with proper permits and compliance.
Climbing without authorization = illegal.

34. Did Nims Purja use oxygen?

Yes, but this question needs context.

2019 Project Possible

Nims used supplemental oxygen during the original 14-peaks speed record.

Later career

He increasingly climbed without bottled oxygen.

2024

He completed all 14 true eight-thousanders without supplemental oxygen in 2 years and 150 days, earning a Guinness World Record.

2026

He continued to climb without oxygen on some major ascents, including Everest.

So the accurate statement is:

Nims used oxygen during his original 2019 14/7 speed project, but later became one of the world's leading high-altitude climbers without supplemental oxygen.

35. Why is K2 called K2?

"K2" comes from the Great Trigonometrical Survey of British India.

The mountain was designated K2, meaning approximately:

Karakoram + peak number 2.

The survey initially numbered prominent peaks rather than immediately giving them local or descriptive names.

Unlike Everest, which was eventually named after George Everest, K2 retained the survey designation.

The mountain is also known by other local names, including Chhogori, although K2 remains the internationally dominant name.

36. Who climbed Mount Everest 11 times?

There are two important answers depending on what the question means.

Most recent woman to reach 11 Everest ascents

Lhakpa Sherpa reached her 11th Everest summit on 17 May 2026. She holds the women's record.

Historical first man to reach 11

Apa Sherpa was the first person to reach 11 Everest summits and eventually reached 21.

Current men's record

Kami Rita Sherpa — 32 Everest ascents as of May 2026.

37. Has anyone survived Everest without oxygen?

Yes — many climbers have successfully climbed Everest without supplemental oxygen.

The first confirmed successful ascent without bottled oxygen was achieved by:

Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler in 1978.

Since then, numerous climbers have repeated the achievement.

Nirmal Purja also climbed Everest without supplemental oxygen, including his 2022 ascent.

He later completed all 14 eight-thousanders without supplemental oxygen, establishing another speed record.

Climbing Everest without oxygen is considerably more demanding because the air pressure at the summit provides only around one-third of the oxygen availability found at sea level.

38. How long did Nims Purja take to climb all 14 peaks?

His famous Project Possible took:

189 days

That is:

6 months and 6 days

He started with Annapurna on 23 April 2019 and completed the project with Shishapangma on 29 October 2019.

At the time, the achievement was extraordinary because the previous speed record had been measured in years rather than months.

39. What is so special about Nims Purja?

Nims' significance goes far beyond one record.

1. Extraordinary speed

He compressed a challenge that previously took years into 189 days.

2. Military-level discipline

His Gurkha and Special Boat Service background influenced his approach to logistics, endurance and decision-making.

3. Rescue missions

He repeatedly became involved in high-altitude rescue operations.

4. K2

He was part of the first team to climb K2 in winter.

5. Oxygen-free climbing

He later climbed all 14 true eight-thousanders without supplemental oxygen.

6. 50+ 8,000m summits

By 2025, he had reached 50 successful 8,000m summits, a landmark achievement.

7. Changing the image of Nepali climbers

Perhaps his most important long-term contribution was helping shift international attention toward Nepali climbers as leaders, expedition specialists and record holders, rather than simply support personnel.

40. Who is the most famous Nepalese climber?

There is no official "most famous" ranking, but several Nepalese mountaineers have achieved worldwide recognition.

Tenzing Norgay

The legendary Sherpa who reached Everest's summit with Edmund Hillary in 1953.

Kami Rita Sherpa

The current men's record holder with 32 Everest summits as of May 2026.

Apa Sherpa

Former record holder with 21 Everest ascents.

Nirmal Purja

Famous internationally for the 14-peaks speed record, K2 winter ascent and oxygen-free 8,000m records.

Lhakpa Sherpa

The woman with the most Everest summits, reaching 11 in 2026.

If the question is specifically about modern international media fame, Nirmal Purja is arguably one of the most recognizable Nepali climbers of the 21st century because of 14 Peaks.

41. How many Pakistanis have climbed Mount Everest?

As of the 2026 Everest season, 13 Pakistani mountaineers had successfully reached the summit of Everest.

The list includes:

Nazir Sabir — 2000
Hassan Sadpara — 2011
Samina Baig — 2013
Mirza Ali Baig — 2013
Abdul Jabbar Bhatti — 2017
Shehroze Kashif — 2021
Sirbaz Khan — 2021
Sajid Ali Sadpara — 2023
Naila Kiani — 2023
Wajidullah Nagri — 2025
Abdul Joshi — 2025
Saad Bin Munawar — 2025
Salman Ateeque — 2026

Salman Ateeque became the 13th Pakistani to summit Everest on 21 May 2026.

Pakistan's mountaineering history also includes major achievements on K2, Nanga Parbat and other peaks in the Karakoram.

42. Who has climbed Mount Everest twice?

Thousands of climbers have eventually climbed Everest twice, so there is no single answer.

Historically, however, the first person to summit Everest twice was Nawang Gombu Sherpa.

He first reached Everest's summit in 1963 and then again in 1965.

The Nepal Government's mountaineering record summary identifies Gombu's second summit on 20 May 1965 as the first time anyone had reached Everest twice.

For women, Santosh Yadav of India became the first woman to climb Everest twice, in 1992 and 1993.

Nimsdai Purja's Greatest Mountaineering Achievements

Nirmal Purja's career included an extraordinary list of records.

Achievement	Result
All 14 eight-thousanders	189 days in 2019
True-summit 14 without oxygen	2 years 150 days
Everest-Lhotse-Makalu speed	Approximately 48 hours in 2019
K2 winter ascent	First winter ascent, January 2021
K2 without oxygen	Yes
Everest without oxygen	Yes
50 × 8,000m summits	2025
14 peaks twice	First person to climb all 14 twice, with later true-summit/oxygen distinctions
Seven Summits	Completed
Military career	British Gurkha + Special Boat Service
Documentary	14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible

His own published achievement record lists numerous additional speed and oxygen-free records.

Nimsdai Purja and the 14 Peaks: The Important Record Controversy

For serious mountaineering readers, one distinction should always be explained.

The 2019 achievement was promoted as:

14 peaks in 6 months and 6 days.

However, later research determined that his 2019 ascents of Dhaulagiri and Manaslu did not reach the accepted geographical true summits.

Purja subsequently climbed the true summits of those mountains.

Therefore, there are effectively two milestones:

Project Possible — 2019

14 eight-thousanders in 189 days, using supplemental oxygen.

True-summit completion

Purja later completed the disputed true summits.

Oxygen-free record

In 2024 he completed all 14 true summits without supplemental oxygen in 2 years and 150 days, which Guinness recognizes as a world record.

This makes the full story more nuanced than simply saying "Nims climbed 14 peaks in six months."

Nimsdai Purja's Legacy

Nirmal Purja's legacy will likely be remembered in several different ways.

For some people, he was the fastest and most fearless high-altitude climber of his generation.

For others, he was an important advocate for Nepali mountaineers and a climber who demonstrated that Nepali expedition leaders could dominate the global high-altitude record books.

His career also raised important discussions about:

Supplemental oxygen
Commercial mountaineering
Helicopter logistics
High-altitude rescue
The true summit question
Risk-taking
Everest overcrowding
The role of Nepali guides
The future of 8,000m climbing

His death on Broad Peak in 2026 added a tragic final chapter to a career built around pushing the boundaries of what was considered possible.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nimsdai Purja

Is Nimsdai Purja alive?

No. He died in the Broad Peak avalanche in Pakistan on 31 July 2026.

How many times did Nims climb Everest?

Seven documented successful ascents by 2026.

Did Nims climb K2?

Yes. He climbed K2 multiple times and was part of the first winter ascent in 2021.

Did Nims climb Annapurna?

Yes. Annapurna I was the first peak of Project Possible in 2019.

Did Nims use oxygen?

Yes, during the original 2019 Project Possible. He later completed all 14 true summits without supplemental oxygen.

Did Nims really climb all 14?

Yes, with an important true-summit qualification. He later corrected the Dhaulagiri and Manaslu summit issue and subsequently completed all 14 true summits without oxygen.

Who broke Nims' record?

Kristin Harila and Tenjen Lama Sherpa, with 92 days in 2023.

What happened to Nims?

He died in an avalanche on Broad Peak, Pakistan, in July 2026.

Who has climbed Everest the most?

Kami Rita Sherpa, with 32 ascents as of May 2026.

Who has climbed Everest 11 times?

Lhakpa Sherpa holds the women's record at 11 ascents as of May 2026.

Who was the first person to climb Everest twice?

Nawang Gombu Sherpa, in 1965.

Who is the oldest person to climb Everest?

Yuichiro Miura, at 80 years and 223 days.

Is K2 harder than Everest?

K2 is generally considered more technically difficult than the standard Everest route.

Is Annapurna more dangerous than K2?

Annapurna has historically had a higher fatality rate, while K2 is generally considered more technically demanding.

Final Takeaway

Nirmal “Nimsdai” Purja was not simply famous because he climbed 14 mountains.

His importance came from the combination of speed, military discipline, rescue work, oxygen-free climbing, winter K2 mountaineering, repeated 8,000m ascents and his role in changing perceptions of Nepali high-altitude climbers.

His original 2019 Project Possible transformed the 14 eight-thousander challenge by completing it in just 189 days. Although Kristin Harila and Tenjen Lama Sherpa later reduced the speed record to 92 days, Nims' achievement remains one of the defining mountaineering accomplishments of the modern era.

His career continued far beyond the 2019 record. He climbed the 14 true summits without supplemental oxygen, became the first person to record 50 successful 8,000m ascents, and continued attempting new records into 2026.

Tragically, his life ended on Broad Peak in July 2026.

Nimsdai Purja's final legacy is therefore a combination of extraordinary achievement, controversy, courage, rescue, ambition and an enduring influence on modern Nepali mountaineering.

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Nirmal Purja Nimsdai: Everest, 14 Peaks, K2, Records, Death & Biography

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Learn everything about Nirmal “Nimsdai” Purja, including his Everest ascents, 14 eight-thousanders record, K2 climbs, oxygen use, wife, children, net worth, Gurkha career, records, death and legacy.