པེམ་བ་ཆི་རི་ཤེར་པ།
Pemba Sherpa
Pronounced: PEM-bah SHEHR-pah
A Nepali high-altitude mountaineer and inspirational figure known for becoming the first kidney transplant survivor to successfully summit Mount Everest.
See the 7-Summit mission →
Origin story
Raised in Solukhumbu, Pemba worked abroad before facing life-threatening kidney failure. Years of dialysis tested his resolve until a life-saving transplant from his father in 2022 gave him a second chance.
He chose to reclaim his health through the mountains, preparing on peaks like Lobuche before taking on Everest.
Milestones
Dialysis years
Endured long-term treatment while holding on to a dream of returning to the mountains.
Transplant in 2022
Received a kidney from his father, sparking a new chapter of recovery and training.
Everest summit
Stood atop the world on May 14, 2025, a verified global first for a transplant recipient.
Why it matters
Pemba's climb reframed what recovery can look like. His story is celebrated in Nepal and beyond as proof that determination, family support, and careful preparation can turn a medical crisis into a summit of hope.
"Resilience is climbing one step at a time, even when the air is thin."
His vision for Himalayan conservation is a promise to protect the environment and its rich biodiversity, strengthen the local economy, and keep the spirit of adventure alive so the mountains can inspire future generations.
Today he continues to inspire transplant survivors, adventurers, and anyone rebuilding after hardship.
Signature climbs
- Lobuche Peak Preparation climb
- Mount Everest 14 May 2025
- Solukhumbu training peaks Recovery era
Legacy
By combining discipline, medical guidance, and deep respect for the Himalaya, Pemba has become a symbol of limitless potential — a reminder that life after transplant can be bold, adventurous, and full of purpose.
Journey in Motion
Watch the Everest highlights, training climbs, and camp life in the full video gallery.
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