PASANG chronicles Pasang Lhamu Sherpa’s tragic and inspiring journey to become the first Nepali woman to summit Everest in 1993. As an uneducated, indigenous woman and a Buddhist in a Hindu kingdom, Pasang’s dream to scale the legendary mountain pits her against family, foreign climbers, her own government, and nature itself. Her determined pursuit of Everest plays out within the context of her nation’s quest for democracy and the emergence of the commercial climbing industry. As told by the Nepalis who knew her, by some of the world’s most notable alpinists, and by Pasang herself, her historic quest would transfix her country and uplift a new generation’s belief in its possibilities.
This film was part of VIMFF 2023 and is no longer available for viewing.
A passionate storyteller since her childhood in rural Iowa, Nancy Svendsen recently turned from the healthcare field to filmmaking. Her first feature documentary tells the story of Pasang Lhamu Sherpa – the first Nepali woman to summit Mt. Everest. Related to Pasang by marriage, Nancy brings nuance and depth to a moving and inspiring story.
