Members of the Nepali women mountaineers poses for photos after a press conference in Kathmandu, capital of Nepal, on March 7, 2009. A group of 10 Nepali women mountaineers is all set to embark on a mission to seven summits, the highest mountains of the seven continents, local media reported on Saturday. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    by Binju Sitaula

    KATHMANDU, March 7 (Xinhua) -- At the time when the world is about to celebrate "99th International Women's Labor Day", a group of 10 Nepali women is about to scale top mountains of the world.

    The group, comprising women from six different districts and ethnic groups of Nepal, announced the ambition journey at a press conference in the capital Kathmandu on Friday.

    These young women, who conquered world's highest peak Mt. Qomolangma (8,848 meters), on May, 2008, are again set to conquer seven more mountains from seven continents during the year 2009-2010.

    The first team of women who summit Mt. Qomolangma, is sending the message "women and youth can bring change" through the mission of climbing seven highest mountains of the world this time.

    "This mission will draw global attention to women and youth in the most unique way. This will encourage more and more women and youngsters in the world to live up to their dreams," said women climbers.

    They spread the message of "unity and diversity" when they first climbed up Mt. Qomolangma in 2008. At that time the purpose was to encourage Nepali women's participation in the mountaineering as only seven Nepali women had climbed Mt. Qomolangma before that.

    The team, "First Inclusive Women Sagarmatha (Qomolangma) Expedition 2008" marked the history not only in Nepal but also worldwide as the most successful women expedition to Qomolangma. So far, 17 Nepali women have conquered the Mt. Qomolangma.

    However, this time the team's journey has evolved into the "Himalayan Women to Seven Summits", they said this journey as a unique endeavor to demonstrate women and youth can bring change.

    "Our team of young women is set to climb the highest mountain in each continent. This includes Mt. Aconcagua (6,962 meters) of South America, Mt. McKinley (6,194 meters) of North America, Mt. Kilimanjaro (5,895 meters) of Africa, Mt. Elbrus (5,642 meters) of Europe, Mt. Vinson Massif 4,897 meters of Antarctica, Mt. Kosciusko (2,228 meters) of Australia and Mt. Carstenz Pyramid (4,884 meters) of Oceania," said the women climbers.

    Meanwhile, the team has organized the mission focusing on the government's plan of "Nepal Tourism Year-2011".

    The 10 climbers, aged 18-31, said that their mission will begin from this August.