New York Times Article Alleges Nims Purja Sexually Assaulted Fellow Climbers; Purja Responds

May 31, 2024

Two women have gone on the record to accuse mountaineer Nirmal Purja of serious sexual misbehavior, according to reporting by The New York Times.

The story mentions several cases of women who have suffered from sexual abuse in outdoor sports. But at the core of the article, it presents the allegations against Purja, through the testimonies of experienced climber and former Miss Finland, Lotta Hintsa, and American doctor April Leonardo. Both describe “experiences in recent years in which he [Purja] kissed them without consent, made aggressive advances, or touched them sexually against their wishes,” reported The Times.

Purja denied these accusations in an Instagram post on Friday. Explorer’s Web