Women climbers trained to boost Nepal’s Mountaineering Tourism

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, July 26: Skilled female manpower is steadily increasing in the promotion of mountaineering tourism, regarded as a cornerstone of Nepal’s tourism sector. Since climbing requires the use of specialised equipment, 11 women and 11 men have completed a seven‑day introductory rock climbing course to build their skills.

The training, conducted under the Nepal Mountaineering Instructors Association (NMIA) and aligned with UIAGM standards, took place at Rock Sport in Hattiban, the Jakdol training site in Gokarna, and the Wall Climbing Centre of the Pasang Lhamu Foundation. Chief trainer Riten Jangbu Sherpa, a mountain guide, explained that the course was jointly organised by the Pasang Lhamu Foundation and the Mountaineering Instructors Association, with financial support from The Juniper Fund and the Khumbu Climbing Centre.

Trainer and IFMGA mountain guide Gelje Sherpa noted that the programme is the first step towards becoming an international‑level mountain guide. He added that, with only two female guides currently active in Nepal, the training will help expand opportunities and strengthen the sector.

Dawa Phuti Sherpa, Chairperson of the Pasang Lhamu Foundation, said the initiative aims to produce skilled manpower to reduce the number of accidents that occur annually in mountaineering. The foundation, established in honour of Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, the first Nepali woman to summit Mount Everest, has been running training and development programmes for female mountaineers in collaboration with organisations such as The Juniper Fund and the Department of Tourism.

They received training in top‑rope climbing and belay technique, indoor wall climbing and rappelling, natural anchors, knot practice, movement on fixed lines, rope handling and coiling, ten types of knots, and active rappelling, followed by a full revision of all topics.