PM Oli Bids Farewell to Mountaineer Pandey for Carstensz Pyramid Climb

Kathmandu: Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli bid farewell to mountaineer Prakash Raj Pandey, who is set to climb Carstensz Pyramid, the highest peak in Oceania, as part of his Seven Summits campaign. At a program in Baluwatar, PM Oli handed Pandey the national flag and wished him a safe and successful expedition. Pandey departs for Indonesia on August 11.

Originally from Ramechhap and now living in Lalitpur, Pandey has already summited Mt. Everest, Mt. Manaslu, Mt. Ama Dablam, and several other peaks. Since launching his Seven Summits campaign in June 2024, he has climbed Mount Elbrus in Europe, Kilimanjaro in Africa, and Aconcagua in South America.

Pandey said his climbs aim to raise global awareness about climate change, highlighting its severe impacts on Nepal despite the country’s minimal contribution to the problem. The Carstensz Pyramid, locally known as Puncak Jaya, rises 4,884 meters in Papua, Indonesia, and is considered one of the most challenging Seven Summits due to its steep limestone terrain.

After Indonesia, Pandey plans to climb Mount Denali in North America before completing his mission on Antarctica and returning to Everest with the Nepalese flag.