Tejan Gurung: Scaling New Heights and Shattering Records

In the realm of mountaineering, where courage meets the colossal, Tejan Gurung has emerged as a trailblazer. At just 28 years old, this fearless adventurer from Pokhara, Nepal, is on the verge of etching his name in the annals of history by becoming the youngest person to conquer all 14 of the world’s highest peaks. With only one mountain left on his incredible journey – Shishapangma – Tejan’s awe-inspiring quest has captured the imagination of mountaineering enthusiasts worldwide.

Tejan Gurung’s journey began in the picturesque town of Pokhara, nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas. Born in 1995, he spent his formative years in Nepal, where he attended Hill Point High School. It was here that Tejan’s spirit of adventure was kindled as he actively engaged in sports and embraced new challenges with unwavering enthusiasm.

In 2005, Tejan’s life took a significant turn when his family relocated to the United Kingdom following his father’s retirement from the Gurkhas. However, the seeds of adventure and love for the mountains sown in Nepal would continue to thrive and flourish, ultimately shaping Tejan’s destiny.

Inspired by his father’s legacy and the gallant exploits of The Brigade of Gurkhas, Tejan embarked on a remarkable journey in 2014. At the age of 19, he joined the military as a Royal Engineer, a decision that would set the stage for his future triumphs. Tejan’s indomitable spirit and dedication saw him qualify for the All-Arms Commando Course, an arduous training program designed to forge mental resilience, physical toughness, and core military skills. This training would prove invaluable as he pursued the summit of the world’s highest peaks.

Tejan’s ascent to mountaineering greatness began in earnest in 2022. With the mindset and physical fitness of a soldier, he summited Everest on May 27th, swiftly followed by Lhotse on May 28th, an extraordinary feat made possible in collaboration with mountaineer Nimsdai Purja. Until then, Tejan’s highest climb had been Lobuche East at 6,145 meters in 2017.

After an illustrious eight-year military career, Tejan Gurung retired from service in 2023. With unwavering determination and the clock ticking, he wasted no time in returning to his homeland and launching his ambitious 14 Peak Project. The journey officially began with the triumphant ascent of Annapurna on April 15th, 2023. Tejan now stood on the threshold of achieving a record that would place him in the pantheon of mountaineering legends.

As a crucial member of the Elite Exped family, a Nepalese-founded expedition company, Tejan Gurung immersed himself in the realm of the world’s most formidable peaks while pursuing his own mission to conquer the 14 Peaks. Fondly referred to as the “Mountain Yeti,” Tejan’s military expertise became a valuable asset in his team’s quest. His determination, skill, and unwavering positivity have made him one of the team’s strongest climbers.

Today, Tejan Gurung is on the brink of history, with just one mountain left to conquer to complete his 14 Peak dream – Shishapangma. Along the way, he has achieved two world-first records: the youngest person to summit all 8000-meter peaks and the fastest team to climb all of the Big 5 mountains in Pakistan in an astonishing 26 days.

Reflecting on his remarkable journey, Tejan Gurung shared, “Nepal is part of my heritage, so my love for the Big Mountains and its people have always been in my heart; I’ve always known this is where I want to be from a very young age – the mountains were my backyard.”

Tejan acknowledges the profound impact of his military training on his mountaineering career, saying, “The military teaches you many things in life, and with that mindset and skill, I have been able to conquer even my darkest moments when on an 8000m peak.”

His determination to pursue his dream of conquering all 14 Peaks was truly ignited when he scaled Everest in 2022. Tejan’s journey embodies the idea that everyone has their own mountain to climb, and he is proud to have conquered his in the form of the 14 Peaks.

Commenting on Tejan’s astounding success, mountaineer Nimsdai Purja remarked, “When I first met Tejan, I knew he was determined to achieve – I saw this in his career within the military and when he first tackled an 8000m peak, Everest, in 2022! His focus and resilience embody the Elite Exped spirit perfectly. I am proud we have both been able to wave the flag for our motherland, Nepal, and show the world its beauty.”

Once Shishapangma is summited, Tejan Gurung plans to use his incredible journey to inspire others to achieve their own “new possible” with Elite Exped. He intends to continue sharing the wonders of Nepal, both on and off the mountain, reaffirming his deep-rooted connection to the land of the Himalayas.

Tejan Gurung’s story is one of unwavering determination, an unbreakable bond with his homeland, and an unrelenting passion for conquering the world’s highest peaks. As he stands on the precipice of history, we eagerly await his triumphant ascent of Shishapangma, where Tejan will etch his name among the legends of mountaineering.

Summit dates:
• Everest – 27 May 2022
• Lhotse – 28 May 2022
• Annapurna – 15 April 2023
• Makalu – 23 May 2023
• Kanchenjunga – 1 June 2023
• Nanga Parbat – 2 July 2023
• G2 – 17 July 2023
• G1 – 21 July 2023
• Board Peak – 25 July 2023
• K2 – 28 July 2023
• Manaslu – 17 September 2023
• Dhaulagiri – 29 September 2023
• Cho Oyu – 2 October 2023