Nepalese authorities propose renaming Annapurna I peak in honor of Nirmal Purja
Nepal's Annapurna Rural Municipality has approved plans to unveil a statue and set up a museum in memory of Nirmal Purja, the renowned Nepali mountaineer who died in an avalanche on Broad Peak last month, Qazinform News Agency reports.
According to Everest Chronicle, the decision was taken at the municipality’s executive meeting on Tuesday, chairman Bharat Kumar Pun confirmed.
“His contribution to mountaineering, adventure tourism and the understanding of human capability is unmatched. He was not only a pioneer in mountaineering, but also in demonstrating human possibility,” Pun said.
Officials are considering a life‑size statue at Annapurna Base Camp, though the final location has yet to be determined.
The municipality has also proposed renaming Annapurna I (8,091 m), widely considered the world's deadliest peak, as “Nimsdai Annapurna." The proposal first will be submitted to the federal government after consultation with Purja’s family.
In addition, the Maurice Herzog trekking trail, named after the French climber who first summited Annapurna I in 1950, may be renamed the “Nimsdai Maurice Herzog Trail.”
Purja, widely known as Nimsdai, was regarded as one of the most accomplished high-altitude climbers of his generation. Born in Nepal, he served for 16 years in the military, including six years with the Gurkhas and a decade with the UK's elite Special Boat Service, before turning his focus to mountaineering.
He rose to international prominence in 2019 after climbing all 14 of the world's mountains higher than 8,000 meters in just six months and six days, shattering the previous record. The achievement was documented in the Netflix film 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.