The Sherpa climbing brothers

Nepal's Sherpa brothers have high aspirations, with their eyes set on the much coveted Explorers’ Grand Slam title, which requires them to ascend the highest summits on all seven continents and to go to both Earth's poles.

Chhang Dawa and Mingma, the two eldest of the Sherpa brothers, have recently returned from the South Pole where they planted the Nepali flag amongst those of previous explorers. In continued pursuit of their explorer title, they then trekked 4,892 metres up to the peak of Mount Vinson.

Record holders as the first brothers to have reached the world's 14 highest summits, Chhang Dawa and Mingma are joined by their youngest sibling Tashi Lakpa, who at 19, has collected the title for being the youngest individual to reach Everest's peak without supplemental oxygen.

Tashi Lakpa Sherpa: "Hi guys, we are three brother. We are first time have been to the Vinson and we just summit today. We just come back from South Pole. We’re the first brother I think who did South Pole and Vinson together. And we’re the sibling. And my two brothers Mingma - is the first Southeast Asian, Southeast Asian 14 peaks summitter. Dawa is the second Southeast Asian 14 peak, 14 peak summitters. And they are the first sibling 14 peak summitters in the world."

Mingma Sherpa: "We are very happy to here."

Chhang Dawa Sherpa: "Love you Nepal and love you all mountaineering people."

Tashi Lakpa Sherpa: "And love you all mountaineering world and my country Nepal."

Considered to be the bedrock of the Himalayan mountaineering industry, ethnic Sherpas from Everest's valleys used to facilitate mountain expeditions for tourists. However, they have now taken centrestage.

2021 saw the world's second highest summit, K2 ascended by a group of Nepali mountaineers for the first time ever during the winter. This has brought their climbing prowess into the limelight.

Meanwhile, still with ground to cover, including reaching the North Pole and scaling another five summits, the Sherpa brothers are determined to achieve the Explorers' Grand Slam title. Nevertheless, they are certain they can accomplish this feat within a year. View Less