For Every Survivor Who’s Been Told to Slow Down – This Summit’s for You

In the world of high-altitude mountaineering, summiting Mount Everest is often seen as the ultimate achievement – a challenge only the most prepared and resilient adventurers dare to take on. But imagine doing it after surviving kidney failure, undergoing a transplant, and spending years on dialysis. This is the incredible story of Pemba Sherpa, a mountain guide from Solukhumbu, Nepal, who has become the first kidney transplant recipient in the world to summit Mount Everest, as verified by Thaneswar Guragain, the official representative of Guinness World Records in Nepal.

His journey isn’t just about the 8,848-meter climb. It’s about faith, family, and fighting for a second chance at life.

Pemba Sherpa, Photo: The Himalayan Times

The Climb Before the Climb

Born in the rugged terrains of Solukhumbu, Nepal, Pemba Sherpa’s life was intrinsically linked to the mountains. However, in 2020, his trajectory took an unforeseen turn. After returning from a six-year stint in Japan, Pemba was confronted with a life-altering diagnosis: both his kidneys had ceased functioning. The ensuing period was marked by grueling dialysis sessions and an uncertain future.

But Pemba wasn’t alone. His father, Ang Gyaljen Sherpa, gave him the ultimate gift: one of his kidneys. That act of love didn’t just save his son’s life = it rekindled his dreams.

Recovering from a transplant isn’t easy. It took Pemba more than two years – 30 long months of healing, discipline, and slowly regaining his strength. Most people would think about taking it slow. Not Pemba. In 2024, he decided to test his limits by climbing Lobuche Peak (6,119 meters), a challenging mountain near Everest. It was his personal litmus test: Was he ready to return to the world of climbing?

The answer came in May 2025, when Pemba stood on top of the world.

The Summit Day: Making History

On May 14, 2025, Pemba Sherpa reached the summit of Mount Everest, proudly carrying the story of survival, sacrifice, and sheer willpower with him. He wasn’t alone on the mountain – he climbed alongside an international team that included Michael Rudolph Gutwein II and Saurabh Bhasin from the United States, Sajan Dangol from Nepal, and was supported by two world-class IFMGA mountain guides, Pemba Ongchu Sherpa and Gyalje Sherpa.

The expedition was managed by Expeditions High Mountain Treks, under the direction of Pemba Gelje Sherpa, with support from legendary climber and tourism entrepreneur Lhakpa Sonam Sherpa. Together, they turned what might have seemed impossible into a powerful symbol of hope.

Pemba wasn’t just climbing for himself – he was climbing for every transplant survivor, every person living with chronic illness, and every individual who’s ever been told “you can’t.”

“I’ve Shown That You Can Dream Big”

“I’ve shown that even with medical challenges, you can dream big,” Pemba told reporters. And he means it.

In a world that often sets limits based on medical records, Pemba shattered expectations with every upward step. His story is a living, breathing reminder that the mountains we climb are not always made of rock and ice – sometimes, they’re made of hospital visits, family sacrifices, and silent battles no one else can see.

More Than a Summit – A Message to the World

Pemba Sherpa’s Everest ascent isn’t just another addition to the mountain’s climbing records. It’s a message to dreamers everywhere – especially those told their bodies can’t keep up with their ambitions.

For transplant survivors, his story breaks new ground. For the mountaineering community, it expands the meaning of strength. And for the rest of us? It reminds us to never underestimate the human spirit when it is powered by hope, love, and sheer determination.

As we cheer for future summits and new stories, Pemba’s ascent will remain one of the most moving tales in the 2025 Himalayan climbing season.