Not many people can say they launched their own adventure wear brand, set three-world records and helped clients from around the world achieve their new possible on the Big Mountains, but that is exactly what Nims Purja did in 2024.
Launching in March, the Nimsdai Store, has been a hit with adventurers wanting reliable, functional and durable trekking, climbing and mountaineering wear. Nims and his team spend 11 months of each year on the mountains and so this became the inspiration to design, develop and test the new ‘Defined by the elements’ collection. Featuring the essentials including baselayers, down jackets and waterproof jackets and trousers, the collection partnered with industry-leading brands like Polartec®, Pertex Quantum technology, GORE-TEX Pro and RECCO® search technology.
He said: “I am so grateful for all the love and support my team and I have received this year – I am truly grateful! I wanted to create the ultimate collection which uses all my knowledge of the high-altitude environment. Down to the little details like zip lengths we have tried and tested everything to the extreme – this kit I wear myself day in and day out. I would not put my name onto something unless it is the best.”
Look good and do good too.
Not content with bringing Big Mountain functionality to street style, the collection looks good and does good too – 5% of all proceeds from across the Nimsdai Brands (including Nimsdai Store, Elite Exped, Skydive Nimsdai (5% profits), as well as from future book and film opportunities, brand endorsements and speaking events), go to the charitable Nimsdai Foundation to fund projects that redefine what is possible, like this year’s mission to build a new Porters Lodge on the Everest Base Camp trail in Lobuche.
For our loved ones – Anna and Mingmar.
In May, Nims and his team headed back to Shishapangma. Following the devastating avalanche that hit the 2023 autumn climbing season, which claimed the lives of four climbers including Anna Gutu and Mingmar Sherpa, Nims and his team had been hard at work to reunite them with their families. Four guiding companies were caught in the avalanches. Nims and his team worked for seven months with authorities and mountain associations to allow them special permission to return to Shishapangma in Spring 2024 to bring them home to their loved ones. The rescue mission lasted three days and nights and the team was hit by illness and had to open up the entire route up the mountain. Nims praised his team for their dedication.
One month – three new world records.
In October 2024, Nims and his team were back on the Big Mountains – returning to Shishapangma again to complete the mission they had started a year ago with Anna and Mingmar. Standing on the summit of the mountain, Nims paid tribute to Anna and Mingmar and dedicated his 14 Peaks no O2 record to them.
In completing the feat, he became the fastest person to climb all the 14 Peaks without any supplementary oxygen in 2 years 4 months and 28 days. As well as becoming the fastest (and only) person to achieve the 14 peaks feat both with and without oxygen, in just 5 years, 5 months and 12 days (23rd April 2019 to 4th October 2024.) This summit was also Nims’ 48th summit of an 8,000er mountain – another record.
Nims shared the summit on Oct 4th with legendry Nepali climber (and fellow World Record breaking K2 Winter teammate,) Mingma G – who also completed his own 14 peaks no O2 mission – becoming the first Nepali to do so.
On October 9th, Nims and his team summitted Shishapangma again, this time it was former Royal Engineer and British Commando Tejan Gurung’s moment. TJ became the youngest British male to finish the 14 peaks mission. He dedicated his achievement to his climbing partners Anna and Mingma. TJ is now on a mission to help others achieve their new possible as he joins the Elite Exped as a guide.
Seven Continents – Seven Summits
Following their team successes on Shishapangma, Nims and his team did not rest on their laurels. Within days, they had travelled to the province of Papua in Indonesia to take on Puncak Jaya or Carstensz Pyramid.
This is one of the Seven Summits – a mountaineering challenge that sees climbers summit the highest mountain in each continent. The other peaks are Everest in the Himalayas, Aconcagua in Argentina, South America, Denali in North America, Mt Elbrus in Russia, Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and Vinson Massif in Antarctica. Standing on the summit, Nims achieved his Seven Summits Challenge.
Nims and TJ, along with Elite Exped director Mingma David returned to a heroes welcome in Kathmandu – with hundreds and hundreds of people greeting them at the airport and a civic ceremony.
For a bigger purpose
Speaking about these successes, Nims said he was proud to share these incredible moments with his friends and the Big Mountain community. He said: “Every challenge I do is for a bigger purpose and mission – it is to raise the name of the Big Mountain communities around the world- to shine a light on the guides, porters and teams that make the impossible, possible for mountaineers each season. We are one mountain community and I am proud to do my part to raise the name of Nepal and all other Big Mountain communities.”
“The mountains are my home and I believe we need to all do our part to ensure a thriving and sustainable community. We need to look to the future and ensure that well-paid and prestigious jobs are available to the younger generations in the Big Mountains. This will ensure a prosperous and thriving Big Mountain economy for years to come and stop the younger generation feeling he need to move to the cities to find well-paid and prestigious work. Sustainable, eco-friendly tourism is the future and we all have our part to play in continuing to build that for the future.”
A commitment to helping others achieve their dreams
Throughout 2024, Nims and his team have helped adventurers from all walks of life achieve their mountaineering dreams. In December 2024, this included supporting 16-year-old Padakanti Vishwanath Karthikey to become the youngest Indian to summit Mount Vinson in Antarctica. Nims praised the teenager’s mental resilience and ability.
He also praised climber and Nimsdai Store ambassador Nikol Kolvachuk, who has now summitted 13 of the 14 peaks and only has Kanchenjunga to go. She also only has two more peaks to go to complete the Seven Summits.
Nims will be guiding a special Everest Base Camp Trek in 2025, as well as teaching the hugely popular Kilimanjaro Mindset Masterclass in Summer with friend Ant Middleton.
To book your place and find out more, click on the links below:
· Everest Base Camp trek with Nims (perfect for beginners!) April 14th-29th, 2025. Email info@eliteexped.com to secure your spot. For general EBC info- click here.
· VVIP: Climb Kilimanjaro with Nims and Ant Middleton! (The perfect Seven Summit for beginners!) August 8th -17th, 2025. Click here for all the info and to book.