Dawa Yangzum Sherpa
Dawa Yangzum Sherpa is the only female climber from Rolwaling Valley, home to more than 70 other notable climbers and Everest summiteers. She has been a frequent competitor in ultra-marathons including the 350 km Everest Sky Race and Annapurna Mandala Trail. Dawa started working as a trekking guide in 2008 and began climbing in 2009. Since taking up climbing, she has summited Mt. Everest from the south, Yala Peak, Island Peak, Ama Dablam , Cho-Oyu from the Tibet side and also worked as a climbing ranger on Mt Rainier. In 2014, Dawa successfully summited K2 as part of the first Nepalese female team. She also works as instructor at the Khumbu Climbing Center in Nepal. In 2025, Dawa became the first Nepali woman to summit all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks with her ascent of Shishapangma in Tibet. No stranger to breaking barriers, Dawa was also the first female Asian mountain guide to earn the IFMGA certification. Beyond her personal achievements, she’s a passionate advocate for women in mountaineering and a leading voice in raising awareness about climate change and its impact on Nepal’s fragile mountain ecosystems. Through partnerships with The North Face and Rolex, she continues to use her platform to push for progress—on peaks and beyond.
Significant Ascents
Mount Everest
Makalu
K2
Cho-Oyu
Kanchenjunga
Mt. Langdung – First Winter Ascent
Ama Dablam
Denali
Aconcagua
Mt. Chiki-Go
Island Peak (3)
Yala Peak (3)
Mount Rainier
Mount Baker
Certifications
IFMGA Certified Guide
Wilderness First Responder and CPR certified
Avalanche Level 1
Leave No Trace Trainer
Awards & Recognition
On July 24th, 2014, Dawa and Pasang Lhamu Sherpa were two of the first Nepalese women to climb K2
Second Place (Female) Annapurna Mandala Trail Race (350 km)
Winner, IFSC National Open Lead Climbing Competition
First Nepali female VIP Climbing Ranger, Mt. Rainier National Park
First female member, National Geographic team, Everest
Our expedition was fantastic. Great guide team and flawless execution of the trip.
