Beyond Possible: One Soldier, Fourteen Peaks My Life in the Death Zone

by Nimsdai Purja

Paperback

Published March 31, 2023

About the author

Nirmal Purja (known as Nims or Nimsdai) MBE (Nepali: निर्मल पुर्जा) is a Nepal-born naturalised British mountaineer and a holder of multiple mountaineering world records. Prior to taking on a career in mountaineering, he served in the British Army with the Brigade of Gurkhas followed by the Special Boat Service (SBS), the special forces unit of the Royal Navy. Purja is notable for having climbed all 14 eight-thousanders (mountain peaks above 8,000 metres or 26,000 feet) in a record time of six months and six days with the aid of bottled oxygen. This was a record at the time of climbing, although it was broken in 2023 by Kristin Harila and Tenjen Sherpa, who summitted all 14 eight-thousanders in 92 days. He was also the first to reach the summits of Mount Everest, Lhotse and Makalu in a time period of 48 hours. In 2021, Purja, along with a team of nine other Nepalese mountaineers, completed the first-ever winter ascent of K2. Purja was the only team member to summit without the use of supplemental oxygen, becoming the first person to do so in winter.

Source: wikipedia
Photo: Iamthanes, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Reviews

[Scott Addison-Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those must read books if you are interested in adventure, hiking, mountains, nature or shear inspirational stories.

It tells the background of the writer, where he came from his exploits before tackling the 14 highest mountains in record time.

It's the sort of book that despite being about him, it is far from look how good I am. It is a lesson in positivity, team work, humility and generosity. The aim not only to complete what many thought was not possible but to leave a lasting legacy, not just for Nims, but his fellow climbers that joined him, to provide them with the experience and credentials to improve their lives and their families lives. Highlighting environmental concerns and the dangers of underestimating challenges.

It truly is inspiring and a tour de force, but is not only filled with the good parts, the successes. The gravity of underestimating, ego and the dangers of attempting such feats leave you inspired to do it yourself in one breath, then shying away the next with the description of rescuing people on the descent who sadly pass before they get to safety.