Breaking all odds and doing the unthinkable, the 56 year old climber from home of World’s highest peak Mount Everest, Gopal Shrestha has become first ever HIV infected to summit Mount Everest successfully.
Shrestha, who hails from Pokhara reached the summit on Wednesday morning and thus became first HIV infected to do so, reported Rastriya Samachar Samiti.
“The 56-year-old, who is a resident of Ratnachowk in Pokhara, set his feet on the summit of the 8,848-metre-tall mountain today at 8:15 am, Liaison Officer at the Everest Base Camp, Gyanendra Shrestha, confirmed National News Agency (RSS),” report said.
Shrestha, once a former national football player climbed Everest in the second attempt. His first attempt was abandoned from the Everest Base Camp due to the earthquake of 2015.
Gopal Shrestha’s latest ascend is a part of his “Step-Up Campaign: Second Phase Everest Expedition”, through which he aims to raise awareness in the society and country and provide quality education to children affected with HIV. Record making Shrestha’s summit attempt was led by a record-holder mountaineer.
Phurba Tenzing Sherpa of Dreamers Destination Treks and Expedition Pvt Ltd while an eight-time Everest summiteer, Dakipa Sherpa, guided Shrestha to the Everest, locally known as Sagarmatha.
With the ascent of Everest, Shrestha has led by example that HIV-infected people could also accomplish any challenges and they could perform any tasks irrespective of how difficult, risky and challenging they are.
Shrestha contracted with the disease some 25 years ago through syringe injection.