Record-Breaking Kuwait Flag on Ama Dablam Summit

A Kuwaiti expedition to the summit of Ama Dablam (6,812m) draped a massive flag from the summit last week, with the Nepal government saying it is investigating. The flag could be seen from as far away as Khumjung, 3,000 metres below and 12 kilometres away.

The Kuwaitis were trying to break a record by unfurling the biggest ever flag of their country on the mountain. A number of climbers and guides helped with the expedition. A Facebook post read, “Team B (Kuwait team) who are planning to raise the longest Kuwait flag from the summit of Ama Dablam, have all safely reached at Lukla and trekked to Phakding.

“They will be spending their night tonight their at a local lodge and will be making their way to Namche Bazaar tomorrow.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by KFLAG HEROES (@kflag_heroes) on Nov 17, 2019 at 1:40am PST

Climber Elia Saikaly wrote on Instagram after climbing the peak, “World’s largest flag (150kg – 100m x 30m) was successfully hung from 6,812m above sea level.”

The Department of Tourism Mountaineering Monitoring Section’s Mira Acharya told the Nepali Times, “We are investigating the matter. They did not have permission to take such a big flag. If it looks like they have broken the rules, we will take action.”

Nims Purja, who rose to fame last month after shattering world records by climbing the world’s 14 highest mountains in six months, was involved in the Kuwaiti flag project.

The flag was only in place for just over an hour before it was removed and carried back to Base Camp.

View this post on Instagram

Yes, I have helped our friends from Kuwait to take their National flags on the summit of Amadablam, to help them celebrate their National day that is coming up soon. . It seems like people don’t do enough research nowadays and they seem very keen to put their opinion with only little knowledge. As a quote says "little knowledge is dangerous “ . . To clear this up: We have taken the flags up to the summit "complete” & WE HAVE BROUGHT DOWN THE FLAGS BACK TO KATHMANDU "COMPLETE” . Yes the COMPLETE package is back with us. We leave no trace on the mountains. . Yes I know it’s a very high risk mission, but every risk was calculated by myself. I was there on the ground/summit managing all the risk and ensuring every one is safe and we leave no trace on the mountains. For those who doesn’t know and are apprehensive of this project and it’s success, please note : 1. All my team members are safe and sound. 2. The mission didn’t hamper anyone’s climb at all . We put the flags up once all other mountaineers descended. 3. The project employed 17 Nepalese sherpa guides; 4 base camp kitchen staffs and 20 Nepalese porters and definitely helped in country’s economy. 4. This project has definitely promoted Nepal’s government campaign for next year "Visit Nepal 2020” in Kuwait . 5. This project has definitely strengthened the relationship between Nepal and Kuwait. 6. This project has definitely shown the ability of A Nepalese exped/local leaders and local agency in terms of managing risk and can perform equally or more than the western/European leaders or tour operators. 7. Everyone takes the flags on the summit and I apologise our flags was definitely bigger but unlike many we didn’t leave the trace up there. . I hope this clears up all and let’s start being more positive and let’s start looking into the positive aspect of things? The negative energy will drown yourself ! . . . #letsmakethepositivitylouder #kflag #wearepossible #makingshithappen #nimsdai #problemsolvers #visitnepal2020 #extremehighaltitudeperformers #alwaysalittlehigher #elitehimalayanadventures

A post shared by Nirmal Purja MBE – Nimsdai (@nimsdai) on Nov 16, 2019 at 12:57am PST