She conquered Everest 10 times - and escaped an abusive marriage

Lhakpa Sherpa is an extraordinary woman who has achieved the remarkable feat of climbing Mount Everest ten times, setting a world record for the most ascents by any woman. Her journey is not just about conquering the world's highest peak; it is also a story of resilience and strength in the face of adversity. Lhakpa has faced many challenges in her life, including a difficult marriage that involved domestic abuse. While she was scaling the heights of Everest, she was also enduring a tumultuous personal life, which included suffering at the hands of her husband. This abuse was particularly evident during their 2004 expedition to Everest, where she had to navigate both the physical challenges of the climb and the emotional turmoil of her relationship. Now living in the United States, Lhakpa works tirelessly to support her three children, juggling jobs in a grocery store and as a cleaner. Her inspiring story has been captured in a Netflix documentary titled 'Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa,' directed by Lucy Walker. Lhakpa expresses her pride in the film, stating, 'I want to show people women can do it. ' This sentiment reflects her desire to empower other women and demonstrate that they can achieve great things, regardless of their circumstances. What is particularly surprising about Lhakpa's record-breaking climbs is that she has accomplished them with minimal formal training. Climbing Everest is an incredibly dangerous endeavor, with many climbers losing their lives in the process. Therefore, being in peak physical condition is essential. In the documentary, viewers see Lhakpa maintaining her fitness by hiking in the Connecticut mountains, but she also has to balance her training with the demands of her job. Lucy Walker, the director, acknowledges Lhakpa's exceptional athleticism, noting, 'It's an unbelievable accomplishment that you can climb Everest from doing your day job. ' Lhakpa humbly responds, 'I'm not good with being educated, but I'm very good with the mountains. ' Born in 1973 to yak farmers in the Nepalese Himalayas, Lhakpa was one of eleven children. Growing up in an environment where girls' education was not prioritized, she often carried her brother to school but was not allowed to attend herself. This lack of educational opportunities has had lasting effects on her life, as she struggles with reading and writing even today. Simple tasks, such as using a TV remote, can be challenging for her. Her children, Nima, Sunny, and Shiny, help her navigate these difficulties. By the time she was fifteen, Lhakpa began working as a porter on mountain expeditions, often being the only girl in the group. This job allowed her to avoid a traditional arranged marriage, but her life took a turn when she became pregnant after a brief relationship in Kathmandu. Feeling ashamed, she could not return home. While continuing to climb, she met George Dijmărescu, a Romanian-American mountaineer. They married in 2002 and settled in Connecticut, where they had two daughters, Sunny and Shiny. However, their marriage became strained when George's behavior turned violent. During their 2004 Everest climb, Lhakpa experienced a terrifying incident where George became aggressive, leading to a physical altercation. Journalist Michael Kodas, who reported on the climb, described George's behavior as 'hostile,' and Lhakpa recalls feeling as if she were floating outside her body during the attack. This traumatic experience marked a turning point in her life. After enduring more violence, Lhakpa was hospitalized in 2012, prompting her to seek help. With the support of a social worker, she moved to a women's refuge with her daughters, beginning the process of rebuilding her life. The couple divorced in 2015, and Lhakpa was granted sole legal custody of her children. George received a suspended sentence for his actions but was found not guilty of more serious charges. Lhakpa's journey has not been easy, and she has struggled to discuss her past. She expresses a desire to keep her turmoil private, saying, 'I wish all the turmoil keep secret. ' However, her son encouraged her to share her story through the documentary, believing it could help others. Lucy Walker, the director, emphasizes the importance of sharing difficult experiences, stating, 'When you tell your story, you skipped bits, saying, 'We're not talking about these years. ' And slowly, slowly, we go to the difficult things. ' Lhakpa's daughters, Sunny and Shiny, also appear in the film, sharing their perspective on their family's struggles. They found it overwhelming to see their lives on display but agreed to participate because they believe their story of resilience is important. Lhakpa acknowledges the challenges she faced after her marriage, saying, 'Oh my God, yeah, crying. I carry so much in my life. I work hard, I courage hard. ' Climbing has become a way for her to heal, as she leaves her darkness behind on the mountain. In 2022, she began her tenth ascent of Everest, whispering goodbye to her daughter Shiny before starting her climb. Lhakpa is determined to create a better life for her children in the United States, focusing on their education and future. She dreams of starting her own guiding company to share her love for the mountains with others. Her daughters are proud of her achievements and note that more women are now following in their mother's footsteps by climbing big peaks. Lhakpa Sherpa's story is one of courage, determination, and the power of resilience.