Ming Kipa facts for kids
Ming Kipa (Nepali: मिङ किपा शेर्पा) is a brave Sherpa woman from Nepal. She became famous for being the youngest person to climb Mount Everest for several years. She reached the very top of the world's highest mountain on May 22, 2003. At that time, she was just 15 years old!
Ming Kipa climbed Everest with her brother, Mingma Gyula, and her sister, Lhakpa. Because Nepalese law does not allow climbers under 16 to climb Everest from their side, Ming Kipa Sherpa had to climb from the Chinese side of the mountain.
Her amazing record as the youngest Everest climber was held from 2003 until 2010. On May 22, 2010, Jordan Romero broke her record when he reached the summit at the age of 13 years and 10 months. Before Ming Kipa, the record was held by Temba Tsheri, who climbed Everest in 2001 when he was 16.
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Ming Kipa: Youngest Everest Climber
Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world. It stands in the Himalayas, on the border between Nepal and China. Climbing Everest is a huge challenge. It requires incredible strength, courage, and preparation. Many people dream of reaching its summit.
Reaching the Top of the World
Ming Kipa's climb to the summit of Mount Everest was a remarkable achievement. She made her historic ascent on May 22, 2003. This date marked her as the youngest person to ever stand on top of the world at that time.
A Record-Breaking Climb
When Ming Kipa reached the summit, she was only 15 years old. She was not alone on this incredible journey. Her brother, Mingma Gyula, and her sister, Lhakpa, climbed alongside her. Climbing with family can make such a difficult journey even more special.
Why the Chinese Side?
You might wonder why Ming Kipa climbed from the Chinese side of Everest. The reason is simple: Nepal has a rule. Their law says that climbers must be at least 16 years old to attempt Everest from their side. Since Ming Kipa was 15, she had to choose the Chinese route to achieve her dream.
Her Record and Others
Ming Kipa held the record for the youngest Everest climber for seven years. This was a significant amount of time for such a challenging record. Her achievement inspired many young people around the world.
In 2010, her record was broken by Jordan Romero. He was even younger, at 13 years and 10 months old, when he reached the summit. Before Ming Kipa, the record belonged to Temba Tsheri. He climbed Everest in 2001 when he was 16 years old. These records show how challenging and competitive climbing Everest can be.
More About Everest Climbers
By 2003, when Ming Kipa set her record, about 1,200 people had successfully climbed Mount Everest since the first successful ascent in 1953. Sadly, around 175 people had also lost their lives attempting the climb by that time. These numbers show both the popularity and the dangers of climbing the world's highest peak.
See also
- List of Mount Everest records
- Dicky Dolma
- Melissa Arnot
- Shriya Shah-Klorfine
External links
- The Guardian - Teenage girl conquers Everest, 50 years on
