Nirmal Purja, also known as Nims Purja, once a mountaineering sensation has recently been forced to shut his sports clothing store 'NIMSDAI' in Kathmandu's Thamel. This comes after a significant backlash from the global climbing community due to a series of allegations which include, harassment, abuse, and fraud. Celebrated for his unparalleled achievements in the mountaineering world for climbing the world’s 14 highest peaks in record time, Purja now faces serious threats to his legacy.
Purja's Achievements:
Purja surged to fame in 2019 by scaling the world’s 14 highest peaks— the 8000'ers — in just 7 months, shattering the previous record of 8 years. He initially captured attention with a solo rescue mission on Mt. Everest in 2016 and years later embarked on a bigger goal ‘Project Possible’. With this feat, Purja became a pioneer in the climbing community inspiring the next generation to pursue what once seemed impossible. He subsequently launched his expedition company 'Elite Exped' and his clothing brand 'NIMSDAI', which became a hit attracting VIP clients such as Sheikha Asma Al Thani, Princess of Qatar.
Netflix Documentary Elevates Purja's Legacy:
Already at the peak of stardom, Purja became a household name with his Netflix documentary, '14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible'. This self-starrer documentary was released in 2021 and added another dimension to his journey. In this documentary, he highlighted the lack of recognition for Nepal's mountaineers and advocates for the credit Sherpas and porters deserve for being the lifeline of Himalayan expeditions. "This project was all about inspiring people to believe in the impossible," he stated in the documentary.
Allegations And Controversies Emerge:
His acclaim faced a significant blow when a New York Times article published on May 31 revealed serious allegations against Purja. The article titled, "For Female Climbers, Dangers Go Beyond Avalanches and Storms," included accusations from female climbers such as Finnish climber Lotta Hintsa and Dr April Lanardo.
In the article, Lotta Hintsa, a finnish climber and former Miss Finland, described a disturbing incident where Purja allegedly attempted to assault her. Another climber, Dr. April Leonardo recounted a scenario about how power dynamics and isolation made it difficult to speak out about how Purja allegedly harassed her during an expedition to K2.
These allegations have had significant repercussions, leading to widespread criticism, including the Nepal mountaineering community as well.
Purja denied these allegations on Instagram claiming they are false and defamatory. He also tried to put substantial evidence and witness statements to contradict the claims, asserting that the publication selectively quoted witnesses and ignored critical facts. Despite his denials, the mountaineering world has largely condemned him, showing support for women and sparking conversations about creating a safer environment for women climbers.
According to the Nepal Times, this is not the first time Purja has faced some allegations. Previously, his company has faced accusations of not paying proper remunerations to the families of three people who died in an oxygen cylinder explosion accident in Kathmandu in 2022. Further allegations include claims that he used his Nepali passport instead of his British passport to avoid paying the royalties required for British passport holders. Some also criticise his techniques and supplementary oxygen use during the expeditions.
Purja's Fall From Peak:
The backlash has severely impacted Purja's career, leading to the withdrawal of sponsors and the cancellation of future expedition bookings. The intense criticism has forced him to close his clothing outlet 'NIMSDAI' as well. As he represented himself as a leader of Nepal's Sherpa community on the global stage, these allegations have also damaged Nepal's international image. The situation has escalated to the point where Nepali Congress lawmaker Rajendra Bajgain has urged the government to ban Purja from entering Nepal.
Purja's journey from a celebrated mountaineer to a controversial figure has left people divided, each grappling with the reality of this story.