Sophie Lavaud

Himalayist and speaker

Himalayist and speaker, Sophie Lavaud dedicates her life today to Himalayan expeditions with an impressive succession of successes. Sophie has entered the history of Himalayanism: she thus becomes the first French person to have climbed all 14 peaks over 8000 m on the planet, the first Swiss woman, and the first Canadian. That's the advantage of having 3 passports. Sophie Lavaud is much more than an accomplished mountaineer: she embodies self-overcoming, resilience, and ambition without borders. Swiss, French, and Canadian, she has managed to combine a prestigious career in luxury hospitality, notably as the sales and marketing director at the Richemond hotel, with a passion for extreme adventure. After also shining in the cosmetics field at Clarins and leading a financial events company, Sophie turned to peaks that are literally inaccessible for most. On June 26, 2023, she conquered the summit of Nanga Parbat, reaching an impressive altitude of 8126 meters, thus completing her fourteenth "8000" – a rare feat that today earns her the nickname "112,000 Lady." From K2 to Everest to Kangchenjunga, Sophie Lavaud has faced some of the planet's most formidable challenges. Her determination and humility make her an inexhaustible source of inspiration. Meeting Sophie is diving into a universe where limits do not exist, and where each summit, no matter how great, becomes a new step towards excellence. "Today I dedicate my time between Himalayanism and international speaking engagements. By realizing my dreams, I try to help women, especially in Nepal and Pakistan, achieve theirs. As an ambassador for Terre des hommes this year, I support a project in Nepal called 'Prayaas'. It helps improve the survival chances of pregnant women and newborns through better training for midwives in rural areas.