14 Peaks (2021) Review: Behold Nimsdai Purja’s Project Possible

Netflix’s 2021 documentary film 14 Peaks tells the story of high altitude mountaineer Nimsdai Purja aka Nims Purja climbing the 14 highest peaks in the world over the impossible time of sevens months. The film is directed by Torquil Jones, who also serves as the writer besides Gabriel Clarke. The docu-film has a runtime of 101 minutes and essentially starts Purja as he documents his life on his quest to conquer the 14 Peaks.

– Netflix’s 14 Peaks Review contains mild spoilers –

14 Peaks: A Journey Never Seen Before

Nirmal Nimsdai Purja, or Nims as he goes by in the film was a man unknown to the world. He did not grow up dreaming to conquer mountains but be a Gurkha in the British army. And, this dream of his did come true along with serving as a British Special Forces officer. However, it was not until December 2012, on an expedition to the Everest Base Camp when Nims fell in love with the mountains and it all started. Nims was not a well-known climber when he drafted his plan to submit to the highest peaks of the world above 8,000 metres. The mountaineering community did not take the plan seriously as practically speaking, it was not possible.

But, Nims was determined to do it and thus, he started his journey naming his quest ‘Project Possible’. The 14 peaks that he needed to cover were spread out across the Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges which cover Nepal, Tibet (China) and Pakistan. They are: Everest (8848m / 29028ft), K2 (8611m / 28250ft), Kanchenjunga (8586m / 28169ft), Lhotse (8516m / 27940ft), Makalu (8463m / 27766ft), Cho Oyu (8201m / 26906ft), Dhaulagiri (8167m / 26795ft), Manaslu (8163m / 26781ft), Nanga Parbat (8125m / 26660ft), Annapurna I (8091m / 26545ft), Gasherbrum I (8068m / 26469ft), Broad Peak (8047m / 26400ft), Gasherbrum II (8035m / 26362ft) and Shishapangma (8012m / 26285ft). Nims covered the peaks not in accordance to height but, location, diving them into three phases.

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14 Peaks 2021 tells the story of how Nims submitted to these peaks and what struggles he had to face starting from surviving the regular avalanches to facing HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema). Real-life footage is used to show this journey along with impeccable aerial shots of the mountains that just soothes your soul just by looking at them. The film just does not stop there as it doubles back on Nims’ past, his childhood, family, preparing for this journey to climb mountains with interview videos of his wife, Suchi and other expert mountain climbers.

However, it is important to note that the film even though revolves around Nims and his plan and submitting to the peaks, his faithful teammates who were by his side on this tiring journey deserve as much credit to climb these dangerous peaks. We get to meet Nims team right at the beginning of the documentary which consists of Mingma Sherpa, Gesman Tamang and Gyalzen Sherpa. The team did not just climb mountains but also conducted rescue missions when needed, showing how they are men of strong character.

14 Peaks: Final Verdict

At the very beginning of the film, Nims confesses that his quest is dedicated to the Nepalese community who have always been at the front of climbing huge mountains but have never been given their due credit. Through his actions and this documentary, Nims has made his community known and proud.

You can watch 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible now on Netflix.

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