My love for the mountains started at a very young age, thanks to my parents. Since the beginning they taught me to love the mountains and to respect other people, they taught me how to love and cherish what I had, as well as how to fight for the things that I wanted.

The mountains have been like a school of life; because of the mountains I have seen incredible sites, different cultures and met wonderful people. The different journeys that I have been part of have defined my life as a professional mountaineer, giving me the opportunity to lead more than twenty expeditions to the Himalayas. Thanks to this, I became the first woman in the World to complete the fourteen eight-thousand highest peaks of the World.

During my first trip to Nepal in 1998, I fell in love with its mountains and its people. These people became my home, my expedition and life partners. The love for their mountains and people brought us, a group of mountaineers, to found Mountaineers for Himalayas Foundation with the main objective of helping each and every one of the people that helped us during our visits.

For me, the foundation has become part of my life, just like the fourteen eight thousands peaks. I have dedicated more than fifteen years of my life to climb the fourteen peaks; it has been a long journey, but I’m proud of having achieved this goal. However, we still have a long way to go with our foundation. This will become one more peak to climb: try to give the children of Nepal, who gifted me their smiles and love, a chance for a good education as well as new life opportunities.

Edurne Pasaban
www.edurnepasaban.com