"Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa" takes us to new heights on Netflix

August 1, 2024

Courtesy: Netfix

Mountain Queen is the newest documentary from Netflix that premiered on July 31. The documentary chronicles the inspiring story of Lhakpa Sherpa, the only Nepali woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest an incredible 10 times, the most of any female climber. From her humble beginnings in rural Nepal to her history-breaking ascents, the film narrates Sherpa's personal struggles, triumphs, and the inspiration she embodies in her pursuit of individual greatness, a journey that not only transforms her life but also leaves a profound impact on her children.

"Everest is my game. That is my dream", Sherpa states at the start of the Mountain Queen trailer. She is one of eleven children and a single mother of three who immigrated to the United States, working menial jobs to support herself and her children. Despite the lack of formal education and the trauma of domestic violence, Sherpa's love for nature and the mountains propelled her to summit Mount Everest in 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2016, 2017, 2018, and on May 12, 2022, where she recorded her 10th record-breaking climb.

Directed by Academy Award nominee Lucy Walker and produced by Charlie Corwin, Michael D. Ratner, Miranda Sherman, Dalia Burde, and Christopher Newman, Mountain Queen documents Sherpa's tenth attempt to summit the highest mountain at age 48, showcasing her strength and resilience. She refused to let her humble beginnings or circumstances define her but used them as motivation to power through life. Embracing her love of nature and the mountains, whom she describes as her "best friend."

When Walker was asked by Neflix's Tudum what inspired her to make the documentary, she said, "She (Sherpa) is an incredible mountain climber, and I wanted to give a big-budget sports movie a female character for a change. And I also wanted to do it with a Sherpa woman. It's really rad that this Everest climb is Lhakpa and her Sherpa climbing team, but they're not working for Western tourists. They are the stars of the show on their own. And so I wanted to tell the story not just of this thrilling Everest climb that we get to go on with her, but also the incredible life that she's led..."

Courtesy: Netfix

The documentary chronicles Sherpa's embattled childhood, meeting and marrying Romanian Everest climber Gheorghe Dijmărescu and moving to the United States, where she suffered years of domestic abuse. Through determination and her passion for the mountains, she returns home to achieve her final ascent of Mount Everest with the introductions of her two daughters, Shiny and Sunny.

Archival footage and stunning photography of the highest mountain make the visual scope as beautiful as it is dangerous. Mountain Queen captures the breathtaking scope of the mountainous terrain with vivid and deadly clarity, highlighting the challenge that Sherpa faces when undertaking the journey with illness and dangerous winds. Sherpa successfully summitted Mount Everest for the 10th time and completed a personal mission of beating her ex-husband George Dijmarescu, who climbed Everest nine times. 

After her expedition in 2022, she received the Tensing Norgay Award and sponsorship. In 2023, she once again returned to summit K2 (the second-highest mountain on Earth after Mount Everest). Sherpa continues to live with her three children in Connecticut while she still works a regular job at Whole Foods.

Mountain Queen is a powerful representation of the human spirit and perfectly captures the essence of Lhakpa Sherpa's influence and achievements, highlighting her strength, determination, and unparalleled contributions to mountaineering.

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Watch the trailer below:

Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa is streaming now on Netflix.