Nanu Maya Gurung is a young trekker leading the advocacy to improve conservation efforts of the Himalayas with each step on the climb towards Nepal’s peaks.
Nanu Maya’s story is a case of the love of mountains. Born in 1997 in Lapsibot, Gorkha to parents who ran a Mountain Tea House in Samagaon, Gurung was drawn to the mountains from a very young age. At just 16, she began working as a porter for other trekkers.
She transitioned to formal expedition with Island Peak in 2015, then continued her rigorous training throughout 2016. The success of her efforts came in 2017, when she summited the mighty Mt. Everest. Since then, she has scaled Manaslu as a sherpa guide, solidifying her reputation as a skilled and courageous climber.
“Every year when the season arrives, my heart wishes only to visit the mountains”, says Gurung.
But this time it’s not just about conquering the peak, she plans to advocate for a cause close to her heart; protecting the Himalayas.
The Varnabas Museum Hotel, a champion for environmental responsibility, is proudly sponsoring her upcoming ascent of Mt. Lhotse. Gurung’s expedition team will be pioneers of a waste-free climb. They will also actively collect as much garbage as possible as a part of the hotel’s ongoing Lhotse Clean Up campaign.
This initiative, spearheaded by Varnabas aims to combat the growing issue of waste in the Himalayas, beginning with the majestic Lhotse peak. By this collaborative approach, the team hopes to set a new standard for sustainable climbing practices.
She has also named her climbing campaign ‘Harek Chhori lai Sikchya Anivarya’ (Education- a necessity for each and every girl). As she was unable to complete her own schooling, she is passionate about removing the barriers that prevent young Nepali girls from getting an education.
Beginning on April 12 2024, her team of 17 Japanese trekkers will make their way to the Lhotse summit over the coming weeks.