Lhamu Pasang Sherpa, the first Nepalese woman to summit Everest, now has a lunar crater named in her honor.
Nepal celebrates the naming of a crater at the Moon’s South Pole in honor of Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, the first Nepali woman to summit Mt. Everest. The US Geological Survey, which maps extraterrestrial planets and the Moon, as well as topographic and hydrological features of Earth, has named a crater on the Moon’s South Pole after Sherpa.
On April 22, 1993, Pasang Lhamu made mountaineering history by becoming the first Nepalese woman to successfully reach the summit of the world’s highest peak. Unfortunately, during the descent, the climbers encountered severe weather conditions. She died near the south summit of Mt. Everest.
The Government of Nepal has honored her memory by declaring Pasang Lhamu a National Luminary. Jasamba Mountain (7,315m) in the Mahalangur Range has been renamed Pasang Lhamu Mountain, and the 117 km-long highway from Trishuli to Dhunche has been designated Pasang Lhamu Highway. Additionally, postage stamps have been issued in her name.
By: Sweta Singh (Kathmandu)
