The Nepalese Association of Florida (NAF), in collaboration with the Wellington branch of the Palm Beach County Library System, organized a remarkable event Saturday, Jan. 25 that celebrated the resilience, courage and unyielding spirit of mountaineering. Featuring renowned Everest summiteers AC Sherpa and Shailee Basnet, the program highlighted Nepal’s rich cultural heritage and its natural wonders.
The event offered attendees a unique opportunity to hear first-hand stories from two of the world’s most inspiring mountaineers. They gave captivating accounts of scaling the world’s highest peak, along with insights into endurance, teamwork and overcoming challenges. There was also a lively question-and-answer session with the mountaineers, and guests had the chance to get books signed by AC Sherpa.
Master of ceremonies Srijana Nepal set the tone for the event with an engaging introduction to Nepal’s unparalleled mountaineering legacy and cultural richness. NAF President Niraj Shrestha expressed gratitude to attendees and partners, emphasizing Nepal’s significance as the home of Mount Everest and the importance of such cultural exchange initiatives.
Distinguished guests included Douglas Crane, director of the Palm Beach County Library System, who shared his excitement about collaborating on the event. Also in attendance was Wellington Mayor Michael Napoleone, who highlighted the importance of fostering cultural awareness through events like this and expressed a keen interest in future collaborations.
Basnet delivered a powerful keynote address, sharing her inspiring journey of breaking barriers and conquering Mount Everest. She emphasized Nepal’s global identity as the birthplace of Lord Buddha and the home of the iconic Himalayas.
Sherpa shared his extraordinary achievement of completing the “7 Summits” — climbing the highest peaks on all seven continents in just 42 days. He highlighted the challenges of mountaineering in Nepal and the importance of personal growth and global awareness through such pursuits. He also discussed his 7 Summits Foundation USA, which supports healthcare and education in developing countries.
Local trekkers Dev Bhandary (Everest Base Camp and Kilimanjaro) and Chandan Shrestha (Annapurna Base Camp) enriched the program by sharing their trekking experiences and the significance of exploring Nepal’s trails.
The Nepalese Association of Florida thanks Santosh Sthapit, Sushil Bhattachan, Chooda Mani Khanal and Tirtha Mali for their generous sponsorship and support in making the event possible.
NAF Vice President Binod Basnet concluded by recognizing the invaluable efforts of the volunteers, collaborators and attendees. Volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes were: Ashma Bajracharya, Abhigya Neupane, Srijana Nepal, Bimal Nepal, Krishna Shrestha, Priti Bhandary, Madhu Nepal, Shanta Pradhan, Sunita Shrestha, Eva Basnet, Saesha Neupane, Yuvani Bhandary, Mayra Gautam, Anika Sah, Aahana Khatiwada, Reeva Joshi, Ashmi Basnet, Palasha Shakya, Shivanshi Rayamajhi, Adelina Shrestha, Aarjan Thapa, Aarash Khatiwada, Rena Joshi and Abheek Sah.
The event attracted a diverse audience, including many non-Nepalese attendees, who gained a deeper appreciation of Nepal’s breathtaking landscapes and its enduring legacy in global adventure and exploration. Learn more at www.floridanepalese.org.
