Tejan Gurung aiming to Conquer 14 8000m plus Peaks at record time.
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Former Gurkha soldier Tejan Gurung, at 28, on his way to 14th 8,000m peak, Shishapangma, in Tibet, aiming for world records and inspiring with his mountain passion.
⏱ 2 min read
A former Gurkha soldier, Tejan Gurung, is on the verge of setting a remarkable world record by conquering his 14th 8,000-meter peak, Shishapangma in Tibet, all at the youthful age of 28. Tejan's incredible journey began with his ascent of Mt. Cho Oyu on October 3, marking his 13th peak above 8,000 meters. Now, he's en route to Shishapangma's base camp to fulfill his mission.
Looking ahead, Tejan aims to achieve two extraordinary milestones: becoming the youngest British male to summit all 8,000-meter peaks and being part of the fastest team to conquer the five major mountains in Pakistan within a remarkable 26 days. Notably, these remarkable feats were previously held by Mingma David Sherpa, who accomplished them at the age of 30 years and 166 days in 2019.
Tejan's remarkable journey began in Nepal, where he spent his early childhood until his family relocated to the United Kingdom in 2005 following his father's retirement from the Gurkhas. Inspired by his father and the legacy of The Brigade of Gurkhas, Tejan joined the military in 2014 at the age of 19 as a Royal Engineer. Over the years, he demonstrated his unwavering commitment, earning his place with the 24 Commando Regiment within the three Commando Brigades.
After leaving the military in 2023 following eight years of dedicated service, Tejan promptly returned to Nepal and initiated his 14 Peak Project. He kicked off this extraordinary endeavor by successfully summiting Annapurna in April 2023, setting his sights firmly on achieving the record.
Tejan's dedication and determination have earned him the nickname "Mountain Yeti." He brings his military expertise into play, demonstrating unwavering resolve, exceptional skills, and a positive attitude while tackling the world's most challenging peaks.
Tejan's love for Nepal and its magnificent mountains has been a driving force throughout his life. He says, "Nepal is part of my heritage, so my love for the Big Mountains and its people have always been in my heart; I've always known this is where I want to be from a very young age – the mountains were my backyard."
This exceptional journey underscores Tejan's ability to overcome even the darkest moments while scaling 8,000-meter peaks, with his military training proving invaluable. His passion for mountaineering was ignited in 2017 when he first experienced high-altitude climbing, and it continued to grow, culminating in his historic 14 Peak Project.
Tejan's story is a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the pursuit of extraordinary dreams. His achievements reflect not only personal triumph but also the enduring beauty and grandeur of Nepal's mountains, which he proudly represents on the global stage. Here's when he ascended the other 13 summits:
- Everest - 27 May 2022
- Lhotse - 28 May 2022
- Annapurna - 15 April 2023
- Makalu - 23 May 2023
- Kanchenjunga - 1 June 2023
- Nanga Parbat - 2 July 2023
- G2 - 17 July 2023
- G1 - 21 July 2023
- Board Peak - 25 July 2023
- K2 - 28 July 2023
- Manaslu - 17 September 2023
- Dhaulagiri - 29 September 2023
- Cho Oyu – 2 October 2023.