During a recent trip to Nepal I reconnected with one and met another young Sherpa who were doing a very challenging thing—helping climbers on the National Geographic and North Face expedition reach the highest point on Earth. After several months of carrying loads up to different camps on Everest, Mingmar Sherpa and Dawa Yangzum Sherpa reached the summit for their first time with five climbers from the team on May 25, 2012. The team leader, Conrad Anker, summited without oxygen on May 26 after assuring the others had returned safely.
Mingmar is the son of Chhongba Sherpa, the extraordinary guide and person who has kept me safe during four treks in Nepal. Mingmar was with us last year as we traveled the Annapurna Circuit. I first met Dawa in Gorak Shep late in the day after we finally made it to the top of Kala Patthar. When she departed the lodge around 6 PM for the normally 3 hour walk to Everest Base Camp we wondered if she could make it before dark. Chhongba commented, “no problem, she is very strong”. Dawa is an instructor at the Khumbu Climbing Center, an organization dedicated to providing Sherpas with top-notch mountaineering training. Conrad Anker is the Director of the KCC, and Chhongba is the Nepal director.
In the photo above taken at base camp, Chhongba in the orange jacket stands behind Mingmar wearing the black jacket and Dawa is to the right. We visited the expedition camp and enjoyed tea and conversation with Mingmar and Dawa. Here are a few more photos of them.
