Nepali climber Lakpa Sherpa summits Carstensz Pyramid four times in nine days – The Himalayan Times – Nepal’s No.1 English Daily Newspaper

KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 27

Nepali climber Lakpa Sherpa, popularly known as Makalu Lakpa, has achieved an unusual feat by summiting Carstensz Pyramid (4,884m), the highest peak in Oceania, four times within a span of nine days.

According to 14 Peaks Expedition, Lakpa first reached the summit on October 19 at around 7:00 a.m. local time, marking the completion of the fourth of the Seven Summits. He subsequently guided climbers to the top on October 22 at 7:40 a.m., including Nepali singer Raju Lama and Cristel Vanessa Estol Garay, who became the first Uruguayan to reach Carstensz Pyramid. On October 24, he guided two more international climbers to the summit at 12:28 p.m. local time.

Most recently, on October 27 at 6:00 a.m. local time, Lakpa led another successful ascent, setting a record for a Nepali guide by completing the peak four times within nine days, according to the expedition team.

Carstensz Pyramid, also known as Puncak Jaya, is located in Indonesia’s Papua province and is widely regarded as one of the most technically demanding of the Seven Summits due to its steep rock faces and challenging weather conditions.

Photo Courtesy: 14 Peaks Expedition

The expedition also saw international climbers achieving personal milestones. Ariunzul Chuluunbaatar from Mongolia completed her Seven Summits and Explorers Grand Slam, while Alfa Karina Valle Arrue from El Salvador became the first Salvadoran to reach the summit of Carstensz Pyramid.

14 Peaks Expedition credited local guide Arlen for his support throughout the climbs.

Read Also: Makalu Lakpa scales Oceania’s highest peak, completes fourth of Seven Summits

Lakpa Sherpa, a veteran mountain guide with years of high-altitude experience, has previously led multiple successful expeditions across the world’s highest peaks. He is no stranger to setting records: in 2022, he entered the Guinness World Records by summiting Mt. Makalu three times in just 16 days. By 2025, he has summited Makalu eight times, earning him the moniker “Makalu Lakpa.”

Carstensz Pyramid marks his fourth of the Seven Summits, with his next objectives being Mt. Aconcagua in South America and Mt. Denali in North America, followed by Mt. Vinson in Antarctica. Prior to this series, he had already conquered Mt. Everest (Asia), Mt. Kilimanjaro (Africa), and Mt. Elbrus (Europe).

Lakpa’s journey to becoming one of Nepal’s most accomplished high-altitude guides began in the remote village of Walung, Sankhuwasabha. He first entered the mountains at 15, working as a porter for a French expedition to Makalu Base Camp. His breakthrough came in 2009 on Annapurna, where his diligence as a kitchen boy impressed a South Korean climber, leading to his first 8,000-meter summit on Mt. Manaslu in 2010. His career has since been closely linked with Mt. Makalu, which defined his legacy and earned him national recognition.