Nepalese Sherpa's recognition for Everest climbs

An intrepid female mountaineer from Nepal has been recognised by Guinness World Records for scaling Mount Everest twice in the same climbing season.

Chhurim, a 29-year-old Nepalese Sherpa, clambered her way to the mountain's 8,850 meter summit on May 12 last year, only to return again a week later.

Everest is the highest mountain in the world, with a summit well above the so-called "death zone" - considered to be altitudes of above 8,000m.

Climbers in this zone are at serious risk of suffering from altitude sickness, as well as being buffeted by extreme weather and severe winds.

Nepal's tourism minister Posta Bahadur Bogati presented the certificate to Chhurim, who like most Nepalese Sherpas uses only one name.

Not content with conquering Everest, Chhurim said she has plans to tackle other high peaks in the future.

Everest has scaled by nearly 4,000 climbers but the overwhelming majority of them have been male, the Nepal Mountaineering Association said.

"Climbing Everest turns out to be very tough for women like me because there are no toilets. Five of us had to share a tent," Chhurim said.