INTERVIEW WITH AN EVEREST SHERPA

I have a three day commute…

I am from a remote part in Nepal called the Makalu region. The place is called Yaphu, in Sankhuwa Sabha and it is a three-day walk from Tumlingtar.

The first time I climbed Everest…

It was in 2008 and I was 22 years old.

I have climbed Everest…

Five times.

When I reached the summit of Everest for the first time…

I thought I was a super hero.

The most challenging day on the mountain…

Is each and every day. As I work as climbing Sirdar [senior guide], every moment on the mountain is challenging for me.

When I’m having a tough day and I need to keep pushing myself forward…

I just take a long, slow breath.

The first things that I throw in my rucksack for an expedition are…

My helmet, head torch, water bottle and sun cream.

Before I became a high-altitude guide…

I would help my parents and work in the field and when I wasn’t helping them I would be busy studying.

If I couldn’t climb Everest…

I would love to climb Mont Blanc in Chamonix.

The strangest thing that I’ve seen someone bring to Base Camp is…

A hockey stick.

My day on the mountain involves…

As a climbing Sirdar, I have many responsibilities. I need to manage staff, pitch camp, check our clients’ climbing gear, check the oxygen system and make sure that everyone is safe.

When climbing the mountain I’m usually thinking…

How beautiful the mountain is, but as it’s my job I’m also in work mode and thinking about my responsibilities as well.

If you’re thinking of climbing Everest…

Make sure that you’re as physically fit as you can be and that you boost your climbing skills. Everest will always be there and waiting for you, so it’s important that you spend time preparing yourself first.