Australian Allie Pepper made headlines after successfully scaling the tenth-highest mountain Mt Annapurna-I on April 14 without using supplementary oxygen. The feat was not achieved easily and not without her incredible sherpa partners Mikel Sherpa (Mingtemba) and his younger brother Nima Sherpa as they continued on their record breaking journey.
Early Life
Mikel Sherpa (34) hails from Makalu Municipality-2, Sankhuwasabha District. Born to Father Phurba Sherpa and Mother Nima Doma, Mikel has three sisters and is the middle son among three brothers in the family.
As with many Sherpa, to better support his family, Mikel stepped into the world of mountaineering in 2008 working as an assistant guide.
Being a quick learner and with a keen interest in mountaineering, Mikel quickly learned the ropes and started guiding his own expeditions, and in less than two years had been selected to work with Seven Summit Treks who he has been with for over 14 years.
A mountain of achievements
Since his first visit to Manaslu Base Camp as an assistant guide, back in 2008, Mikel has so far scaled eight thousand-meter peaks a total of an incredible 23 times.
Having guided dozens of climbers to the top of the world’s highest peaks over his career, Mikel has also summited the mighty Mt Sagarmatha (Everest) and Mt Kanchenjunga five times respectively.
Similarly, Mikel has successfully summited Mt Manaslu three times and over the course of many years, Annapurna and Gasherbrum-2 twice respectively and Cho Oyu, Broad Peak, K2, Gasherbrum-1 one time each. Also, he has also summited Mount Elbrus and Mount Aconcagua.
Mikel has also summited Amadablam an amazing seven times and numerous other 6,000-metre peaks.
Back in 2016, Mikel also guided Spanish climber Carlos Soria Fontán to the summit of Annapurna 1 who had taken up the challenge to become the oldest person in the world to reach the summits of the 14 highest peaks in the world. So Mikel has earnt his place as one of the worlds most accomplished mountaineers and mountain guides.
Allie’s guide in the mountains
Mikel and Allie have both worked together and become partners since they met two years ago during an expedition at Mt Manaslu, when Allie scaled the mountain without using supplemental oxygen. Mikel also guided Allie on Annapurna-I and will continue to do so for the next 11 x 8,000-metre peaks the dynamic duo aim to climb together.
Brother and climbing partner Nima Sherpa
Nima Sherpa, younger brother of Mikel and climbing partner, alongside Allie in Annapurna, has also scaled several mountains over his career. He has successfully summited Mt Everest, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna-1, and Makalu of the 8000 metre peaks. Nima has also has summited Ama Dablam twice and various other 6,000 metres peaks. Together with Allie and brother Mikel the Respect above the Clouse World Record adventure is making amazing progress. All supported by Seven Summit Treks.
Upcoming expeditions
The duo will head to Makalu in the coming days before aiming for Mount Kanchenjunga next. Mikel also, only has four more peaks above eight thousand-metre including Nanga Parbat, Shishapangma, Dhaulagiri, and Makalu to climb before embedding all 14 highest peak summits in his portfolio.
For more information and films ….
https://www.youtube.com/@alliepepper
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