The Kunz

I am Kunjang Tshopel Sherpa, a Nepal Police officer, mountaineer, and karate player. My summit of Everest became a public stand for safety, dignity, and women's leadership.

Historic Achievement

On May 19, 2025, at 8:56 a.m. local time, I stood on the roof of the world at 8,848.86 meters — the first woman officer in Nepal Police history to summit Mount Everest. The UNITE campaign banner I carried to the summit became a visible statement that the fight against gender-based violence reaches the highest peaks.

From Karate to the Khumbu

Before joining Nepal Police, I trained as a karate athlete. Standard running drills were difficult at first, but a shift to rock climbing and mountain training revealed a stronger path forward. The peaks of Solukhumbu became my training ground for a historic expedition.

Service and Recognition

Joining Nepal Police reflected a deep commitment to service. Every posting carried that sense of duty, and the expedition brought national attention to the broader mission of safety and leadership.

Awards and Honors

In November 2025, I was awarded the Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Adventurous Women Mountaineer Award at the Nepal Mountaineering Association's 52nd anniversary event. The recognition reflected both personal achievement and a larger public mission.

Background

Karate athlete

Summit Date

May 19, 2025, 8:56 a.m.

Altitude

8,848.86 m

Preparation & Training

Rock Climbing & Peak Training

Intensive physical training and technical rock climbing preparation in Solukhumbu. Building grip strength and endurance on rock faces proved essential for climbing Everest's technical sections.

Rock Climbing Training for Everest — Rock climbing endurance training

Technical Rock Climbing Practice — Technical climbing preparation

April 23, 2025 · 12:37 p.m.

Lobuche Peak Summit (6,119 m)

Successfully summited Lobuche Peak at 6,119 meters as part of the high-altitude acclimatization and technical climbing preparation ahead of the Everest expedition.

Lobuche Peak Summit 1 — Lobuche Peak summit climb

Lobuche Peak Summit 2 — At the summit of Lobuche Peak

Lobuche Peak Summit 3 — Lobuche Peak summit view

Pre-Expedition

The Banner Presentation & Support

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deepak Thapa personally handed over the campaign banner: "UNITE to End Violence against Women and Girls" alongside best wishes from Nepal Police Headquarters.

UNITE Campaign Banner Handover by IGP Deepak Thapa — Banner handover by IGP Deepak Thapa

Best Wishes from Police Headquarters — Best wishes from Police Headquarters

Base Camp & Acclimatization

Establishing base at Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) and conducting acclimatization rotations across high-altitude terrain.

Everest Base Camp Setup 1 — Everest Base Camp expedition setup

Everest Base Camp Setup 2 — Everest Base Camp acclimatization

Summit Push & High-Altitude Climb

Journey to the Summit — High Camps & Ridge Ascent

Climbing through high-altitude camps, navigating steep ice walls, ridge lines, and harsh mountain weather during the final push toward the peak.

Ascending High Altitude Ridge Lines — Ascending high-altitude ridge lines

Climbing Toward High Camps on Everest — Climbing toward high camps on Everest

Navigating Steep Technical Ice Slopes — Navigating technical ice slopes

Final Summit Push along Everest Ridge — Final summit push along Everest ridge

May 19, 2025 · 8:56 a.m.

Summit — 8,848.86 m

Stood on the top of Mount Everest at 8:56 a.m., becoming the first female officer in Nepal Police history to summit. Unfurled the Nepal Police flag, UNITE campaign banner, and Karate Federation banner at the summit.

Nepal Police Flag Unfurled at Summit — Nepal Police Flag at 8,848.86m

UNITE Banner at Everest Summit — UNITE Campaign Banner at summit

Karate Federation Banner at Summit — Karate Federation Banner at summit

Airport Welcome & Reception

Returned to Kathmandu and received a grand welcome at Tribhuvan International Airport by senior police leadership, family, colleagues, and supporters.

Airport Welcome Reception 2 — Welcome by senior officials & supporters

Airport Welcome Reception 3 — Garland welcome celebration

Sub Inspector Promotion

Sub Inspector (SI) Promotion Ceremony

Promoted to the rank of Sub Inspector (SI) of Nepal Police by IGP Deepak Thapa in recognition of the historic summit and dedication to service.

Promotion Ceremony to Sub Inspector — Promotion ceremony at Police HQ with IGP Deepak Thapa

Photo with Police Leadership after Promotion — With Police Leadership following SI Rank Promotion

The Cause Behind the Climb

I did not climb Everest for personal glory. I climbed as a serving police officer carrying a mandate from the highest levels of Nepal Police: to amplify the UNITE campaign — a global initiative to end violence against women and girls.

Before my departure, IGP Deepak Thapa personally handed me the campaign banner. At 8,848.86 meters, that banner was unfurled — a visible, undeniable statement that the fight against gender-based violence reaches the highest peaks.

As a police officer, I have seen the impact of violence on women and children firsthand. As a woman from Solukhumbu who found my strength in the mountains, I embody the message: strength is not the absence of vulnerability — it's the choice to rise for others.

My summit serves as a public reminder that the fight for dignity, safety, and equality continues beyond the mountain.

Honored with a gold-plated medal at the Nepal Mountaineering Association's 52nd anniversary event for outstanding achievement as the first female police officer to summit Everest.

Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Award Ceremony — NMA 52nd Day Award Stage

Honored as विश्वको सर्वोच्च शिखर सगरमाथा आरोही "नेपाल प्रहरीका पहिलो महिला प्रहरी" at the First Women Police Conference 2082.

First Women Police Conference Award — First Women Police Conference Honor

Awarded official "IG APF Commendation" by the Inspector General of Armed Police Force Nepal in recognition of courage and outstanding national service.

IG APF Commendation Handover — Commendation Handover by IG APF

Presented with official "कदर पत्र" (Letter of Appreciation & Honor) by the Nepal Police Wives Association for inspiring women across the nation.

Nepal Police Wives Association Award — Nepal Police Wives Association Honor

Honored with a special Letter of Appreciation during the Armed Police Force Wives Association Nepal felicitation ceremony.

APF Wives Association Award — APF Wives Association Presentation

Felicitated by the Dharma Peak Sherpa Community for bringing immense pride to the Sherpa community and women mountaineers worldwide.

Dharma Peak Sherpa Community Award — Dharma Peak Sherpa Community Honor

Honored at a cultural felicitation program organized by the Himalayan Sherpa Cultural Center Nepal.

Himalayan Sherpa Cultural Center Award — Cultural Center Award Stage

Himalayan Sherpa Cultural Center Presentation — Sherpa Cultural Felicitation

Awarded by Sherpa Media Group Nepal in recognition of historic mountaineering achievements and public advocacy.

Sherpa Media Group Nepal Award — Sherpa Media Group Presentation

Felicitated by Shree Boudhanath Area Development Committee at a public heritage and cultural ceremony.

Boudhanath Area Development Committee Award — Boudhanath Committee Award

Boudhanath Area Development Felicitation — Boudhanath Public Felicitation

Recognized during the Pashupatinath Area community development program for inspiring youth and nation building.

Felicitated by the Everest Tourism Association for promoting mountain tourism and women's empowerment.

Honored by Khijidimba Rural Municipality following a youth motivation and counseling session.

Khijidimba Gaunpalika Counseling & Award — Khijidimba Municipality Honor

Honored by the Nepal Shitorio Karate Association celebrating athletic roots and historic Everest summit.

Nepal Shitorio Karate Association Award — Shitorio Karate Association Award

Felicitated by the Sherpa Tourism Entrepreneurs Association of Nepal (STEAN) for historic Everest mountaineering achievements and promoting Nepal tourism.