Kathmandu, Sept. 15 -- Nirmal 'Nims' Purja, MBE, might just be a superhuman. In May, Purja climbed Everest (8,848 metres), descended to South Col and climbed adjoining Lhotse (8,516 metres), then flew to Makalu base camp and climbed that peak (8,481 metres) too-all in 48 hours. He broke his own previous world record for the same three peaks, taking five days in 2017.

Climbing three 8,000 metres back-to-back is a feat in itself but to do it in less than a week is almost impossible. But not for Purja, who is on a seemingly impossible mission-to climb all 14 of the world's highest peaks in the shortest span of time. Legendary Polish climber Jerzy Kukuczka currently holds the record for fastest ascent of all 14 eight-thousanders and it took ...