🎬 The Queen of the Mountain: Lhakpa Sherpa and the summit of Everest
The documentary "The Queen of the Mountain: Lhakpa Sherpa and the Summit of Everest" (with the title "The Queen of the Mountain: Lhakpa Sherpa and the Summit of Everest") was released on the internet.Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa"directed by Lucy Walker, captures the essence of Lhakpa Sherpa's life. Walker, known for her empathetic approach and captivating storytelling, follows Lhakpa on her tenth ascent of Everest. The film focuses not only on the physical climb, but on the personal challenges Lhakpa faces as a single mother and survivor of abuse and abuse.
The film is a testament to human resilience and a tribute to all women who face mountains, whether in life or in nature. Although Everest is the backdrop, the real story is Lhakpa's inner struggle, her unwavering spirit and her ability to overcome the most extreme adversity.
Similar articles
A life marked by altitude
Everest is the top of the world, but for Lhakpa Sherpa, it is more than just a mountain. It is his destination, his refuge and his greatest test. While other climbers see Everest as an extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime goal, Lhakpa has made it his battleground, his temple and his home. With ten successful ascents of the world's highest mountain, Lhakpa holds the record as the woman with the most Everest ascents, and she has done so while facing not only the hostility of the mountain, but the adversities of life itself.
This Sherpa woman has broken barriers and defied expectations on every climb. With a story marked by poverty, domestic violence and lack of sponsors, Lhakpa is an inspiration not only to the climbing community, but to women around the world. In a new Netflix documentary, Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpadirected by Lucy Walker, his incredible journey to the roof of the world is brought to the screen with the rawness and beauty it deserves.
The first summits: Climbing poverty and prejudice
Lhakpa Sherpa was born into an environment where Everest was not a sporting challenge, but a source of income and survival. She grew up in the Makalu region, an isolated and remote area in the Nepalese Himalayas, where poverty and traditions restricted women's opportunities. For Lhakpa, school was never an option. Instead, she learned to herd cattle and help her family with household chores.
Everest, however, was always on his horizon. As wealthy foreigners came to Nepal to conquer the summit, Lhakpa and her family worked as porters and guides, helping these adventurers realise their dreams. But Lhakpa dreamed big: she didn't just want to help others reach the summit, she wanted to be there. And she succeeded for the first time in 2000, becoming the first female Sherpa to reach the summit of Everest and return alive.
The war against the elements and inequality
Climbing Everest is not just a physical challenge; it is a mental, emotional and, in Lhakpa's case, an ongoing war against gender inequality. While Everest attracts climbers from all over the world with enough resources to pay thousands of dollars for permits, equipment and guides, Lhakpa has climbed with limited resources. She has often tackled the mountain without the modern equipment used by other climbers.
Despite holding the world record for the most Everest ascents by a woman, Lhakpa remains unknown to many outside the mountaineering circle. Throughout her career, she has struggled to secure sponsors and financial support, while less experienced and less accomplished climbers attract media attention and the backing of big brands. Something we assume will change with his leap into the media spotlight through this Netflix documentary.
The mountain within: Overcoming abuse and adversity
But the summit of Everest was not the only peak Lhakpa had to overcome. Her personal life has been filled with storms as violent as those that rage in the Himalayas. In 2004, during an Everest expedition, her husband physically assaulted her in the middle of the expedition. The incident became a media scandal, but it also marked a turning point in her life.
After leaving her husband, Lhakpa became a single mother of two daughters and a son. While other climbers rest on their achievements, she continues to struggle, not only in the mountains, but in everyday life. She works in a grocery shop in Connecticut, far from the glamour of other famous climbers, but with a determination that transcends fame. Every dollar he earns is invested in his next climb, and in securing a better future for his children.
Climbing into the future: What's next for the Queen of Everest?
Today, Lhakpa continues to defy expectations. Despite the risks and financial difficulties, she plans to continue climbing Everest. Her goal is not only to increase her own record, but to inspire new generations of women, especially those who come from similar backgrounds to her own.
Everest is becoming an increasingly crowded and commercialised place, but Lhakpa represents an authentic connection to the mountain. For her, climbing is not just a sport or a personal achievement; it is a way of life, a legacy for her children and a constant struggle for equality and representation.
