They say everyone has a story worth telling. For Lhakpa Sherpa, a lifelong climber from Nepal, her tale is one of perseverance against immense challenges. Mountain Queen tracks Lhakpa’s personal journey as she strives to reach new heights, both literally on the mountain and in life.
Born in 1973 in rural Nepal, Lhakpa found her calling in the towering peaks that surrounded her village from a young age. But as a woman in a traditional culture, she faced restrictions. Lhakpa was discouraged from activities like education and always looking to push boundaries. She cut her hair short and pretended to be a boy to gain work assisting climbers on Everest.
This led to Lhakpa’s first summit of Everest in 2000, a landmark as the first Nepali woman to achieve it. Her accomplishments only grew from there. But Lhakpa’s story extends beyond her climbing feats. She experienced great adversity too, like an abusive marriage that left deep scars. And as an immigrant in America, working hard while few realized her incredible past.
The documentary follows Lhakpa in 2023 as she attempts to summit Everest a record-breaking 10th time. But her objective seems to be about more than just the climb—it’s a journey of rebuilding herself after trauma. We join her high on the dangerous slopes and learn of her life through interviews exploring the difficulties she’s overcome.
Lhakpa’s Calling
Nestled among the Himalayas’ towering peaks, a young girl felt the mountains calling to her. Despite the challenges she faced, Lhakpa Sherpa would answer that call and accomplish incredible feats.
Born in 1973 in a small Nepali village, Lhakpa grew up in the shadows of the world’s tallest mountain range. Her family worked as yak herders, a life with little opportunity beyond what the land provided. As a woman in that traditional culture, Lhakpa faced extra restrictions from an early age. While her brother went to school, education was off limits for her due to deeply held beliefs of the time.
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Yet even as a child, Lhakpa was drawn to the mountains surrounding her home. She eagerly accompanied her brother on walks to school, listening intently to lessons from outside the classroom. Something about the grandeur and mysteries of the peaks captivated her spirit. As she got older, climbing and exploring the mountains appealed to Lhakpa far more than household duties expected of women.
With few options available, Lhakpa took matters into her own hands. Posing as a young man, she gained work assisting foreign mountaineers on Everest treks, giving her a taste of the heights. Around this time, Lhakpa was also inspired by fellow Sherpa climber Pasang Lhamu. As Nepal’s first female Everest summiteer, Pasang proved women could achieve great heights in this male-dominated field.
Sadly, Pasang lost her life on the descent. But her bold adventure ignited a flame inside Lhakpa, showing what could be done despite the odds. From then on, she set her mind to climbing Everest, becoming the role model for Nepali women that Pasang was. Lhakpa would answer the calling of the mountains, finding her true self amid the highest of peaks.
Rising to New Heights
After achieving her dream of summiting Everest, Lhakpa Sherpa reached new heights. Her 2000 successful climb as the first Nepali woman made her a leader among her people. More doors opened, like leading an all-women team to the top.
Success also brought personal change. A romance blossomed with fellow climber George, a European expatriate drawn to the mountains. They bonded through shared passion, with Lhakpa likely seeing adventure and escape in his affections. Yet dragging equipment was not the only baggage this partnership would bear.
As the years passed, George’s congenial manner transformed in troubling ways. The mellow companion gave way to someone prone to rage and control. Harsh words sharpened to physical blows, with Lhakpa and later her daughters bearing the brunt. Campside squabbles escalated to attacks that left Lhakpa hospitalized, showing the severity of domestic demons unleashed at extreme altitude.
Sadly, the very place providing spiritual release and strength became tainted by abuse. Even summits meant little, as George’s dark side cast a shadow. Climbing gave Lhakpa refuge from trauma’s grip on home life, yet on the mountain’s slopes, there was no escaping her personal Everest. Alcohol peeled back niceties to reveal a beastly, entitled core that ground her spirit.
Through it all, two daughters witnessed a mother’s resilience against rivals no rope or axe could conquer. Sunny and Shiny now grapple with the scars of a turbulent youth, whereas their indomitable mother continues scaling new heights amid life’s harshest conditions.
Facing Summit and Shadow
After breaking records and barriers for two decades, what compelled Lhakpa Sherpa to attempt Everest’s summit again in 2022—this time for a milestone 10th time?
For many, reaching the top once would suffice a lifetime. But for Lhakpa, the mountains provided refuge from turmoil in her personal life. Years of abuse by her ex-husband George had left deep scars. Climbing was her sanctuary, the place she regained empowerment.
The expedition did not come without obstacles. Technical difficulties presented challenges for filming the climbs. Ensuring crews’ safety on those treacherous slopes was no small task. But the filmmakers were determined to capture Lhakpa’s story.
Her objective seemed to be more than records. This was a journey of rebuilding herself, rising above the shadow of her past. The summit push pushed Lhakpa’s endurance, as blizzards slowed progress. An unplanned injury added to difficulties.
Yet through perseverance and teamwork with her brother Mingma, Lhakpa pressed on. Their shared experience and bond helped carry each other to the top. After so much trauma in her life, standing atop Everest was a moment of personal liberation.
Her achievement gained recognition, but the mental strength needed amid her situation at home couldn’t be overstated. By surmounting another peak, Lhakpa sent a defiant message that no challenge could overcome her indomitable spirit.
Ascent of the Spirit
Today, Lhakpa Sherpa calls both the US and Nepal’s mountains home. Living in Connecticut, she works hard while dreaming of her next adventure amid the Himalaya’s peaks.
Documenting Lhakpa’s journey, director Lucy Walker faced a challenge—how to weave climbing footage with deeper dives into the hardships Lhakpa overcame. Walker found nuanced solutions, cutting between snowy slopes and intimate interviews exploring Lhakpa’s roots and traumatic past.
Walker also incorporated Lhakpa’s daughters’ voices, lending the film heartfelt gravity. Scenes of Sunny opening up about hardship and sweet moments between mother and children gave texture to their resilient bond. Though timelines differed, Walker’s seamless editing tied the threads together smoothly.
Through it all, Lhakpa’s indomitable spirit shines through. Her climbing not only defies limits but also empowers her spirit’s ascent after abuse strained her inner strength. Though still honing her craft behind a Whole Foods counter, the mountains feed Lhakpa’s fire to reach ever higher ground.
By humanizing struggle and triumph as one, Walker pays fitting tribute to a trailblazing woman ascending to inspiring new heights within and without each challenge she faces, whether of rock, relationship, or residence.
Courage on the Mountain: Lhakpa’s Legacy
For Lhakpa Sherpa, the mountains have always held deeper meaning. Beyond their physical challenges, the peaks provide strength in facing life’s hardest trials.
Through determination and daring, Lhakpa has braved gender barriers and domestic demons that would break a lesser spirit. But by reaching Everest’s summit ten extraordinary times, she sets an example of courage for all facing adversity.
Her climbing serves as more than physical therapy—it’s spiritual renewal. When turmoil shakes her world below, the heights offer sanctuary and self-empowerment. This refuge birthed the courage enabling Lhakpa to escape her abusive situation and rebuild an independent life amid its ashes.
Today, Lhakpa continues inspiring her country through her trailblazing feats. As the most experienced female Everest climber ever, her legacy will endure as a symbol of hope for Nepali women. Her story proves that through resilience, even the greatest obstacles can be overcome.
In facing inequality, trauma, and risk with indomitable bravery, Lhakpa underscores climbing’s power to heal—and reinforces its ability to sculpt legends. Her example elevates the human spirit to the loftiest of heights.
Everest in her Spirit
What an incredible story Lhakpa’s life presents. Faced with challenges that would defeat many, she persevered through resilience, courage, and passion. Her story inspires as much today as when she began her record-setting climbing career.
Mountain Queen serves as a fitting tribute to Lhakpa’s remarkable journey. It brings viewers along as she summits Everest for that milestone 10th time, offering a rare glimpse of the dangers and rewards of high-altitude climbing. Yet the documentary wisely balances such scenes with intimate portraits exploring the hardships Lhakpa has overcome.
Through it all, Lhakpa’s indomitable spirit shines through. Her grit, determination, and pursuit of her dreams against the odds are qualities worth learning. Even after achieving so much, Lhakpa’s fire to reach new heights still burns brightly as ever. She proves that through willingness to persevere, people can surmount even life’s harshest conditions.
This film deserves praise for bringing Lhakpa’s compelling story to light. Any viewer will be hard pressed not to admire this trailblazing climber. Her story leaves one with an appreciation for the heights the human spirit can reach when we pursue our passions with courage and resilience. Lhakpa Sherpa’s is a legacy that will continue to inspire for years to come.
The Review
Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa
Mountain Queen tells a profoundly moving tale of perseverance in the face of immense adversity through stunning imagery and intimate dialogue. Lhakpa Sherpa's story enlightens as much as it uplifts, proving the human spirit capable of immense resilience when one stays true to their passions. Director Lucy Walker honors her subject with a tribute that judiciously balances tribute with self-reflection.
PROS
- Stunning cinematography of climbing scenes that puts viewers right alongside the climbers.
- Intimate portrayal of Lhakpa's personal story that illuminates her great resilience.
- Inspiring tale of following one's dreams despite facing immense gender/social barriers.
- Subtle exploration of mental health issues like trauma without sensationalism.
CONS
- Slow start that could test the patience of some audiences.
- Language barriers may hamper connection with Lhakpa's cultural background for some.
- Limited context around climbing techniques/risks for newcomers to the sport.
