Namgyal Sherpa

https://detroit2nepal.org/about/who-was-namgyal-sherpa/

Namgyal Sherpa

Namgyal Sherpa was born and raised in the Sherpa village of Shim Kharka, in the district of Khotang, one of 75 districts in Nepal. Lacking a formal education, he rose through the ranks from porter to sirdar (lead guide) on Everest expeditions on 8000 meter peaks. He led many expeditions, summited Everest ten times by his early 30's and regularly led Himalayan rescue operations. He was a promoter and the leader of the "Extreme Everest Expedition 2010", guiding a Nepali team to clean approximately 4,000 pounds of garbage and remove a number of corpses from the "death zone", located above 8,000 meters or 26,500 feet.

Namgyal was considered a luminary in the Khotang District for both his expedition achievements and philanthropic work. He worked his notoriety not for self gain, but rather to help the children in Khotang. Together with his mountaineering and trekking company, Mountain Consult, he sponsored underprivileged children for school scholarships. Because these students were of a low caste, low socioeconomic status and of a female gender, they had been excluded from school.

Namgyal was instrumental in introducing D2N to the traditions and, more importantly, the villagers in this region, helping to gain their trust and encourage involvement in programs for the betterment of their communities.

Sadly, Namgyal passed away in May 2013 on a descent from the summit of Everest. His spirit and infectious enthusiasm will never be forgotten. His memory will remain an integral part of D2N.

Anyone that was lucky enough to have met Namgyal is better for having known him.

Namgyal's chorten (a Buddhist memorial to his life) sits above the sacred lake in Bane, above the villages where Namgyal grew up and later worked. His body still lies 600 meters below the summit of Mt. Everest.

10 times Everest summiter Namgyal Sherpa dies on Everest

In total shock, disgust and unbelieve, we need to confirm that our beloved friend, partner and director Namgyal Sherpa (36) has died on Mt Everest near 8300m at 16 May 2013 because of heart failure.

Together with Galden Sherpa, Namgyal had successfully guided our client to the 8848m high summit of Everest the same morning. It was Namgyals 10th summit of Everest. However, the celebration did not last long. On the way down Galden witnessed how Namgyal suddenly collapsed at 8300m. When he reached his location, Namgyal complained about not feeling well and pointed to his heart. Just a few moments later Namgyal did not move again and had died.

Namgyal was remarkable man with a remarkable life. After he was born as a son of a poor family in the remote district of Khotang, Nepal, he fled his home town at a young age. He survived in Kathmandu, living under very poor circumstances, but eventually got the opportunity to work for an expedition company. Thanks to his exceptional strength, motivation, talents and charme and kindness, he worked his way from porter to cook eventually becoming senior climbing guide on 8000m+ expeditions. He has guided clients to the summits of Mt Everest, Cho Oyu, Shishapangma and many other 6000m & 7000m peaks in the Himalayas working as head guide for Explore Himalaya and later in his own company Mountain Consult.

What made Namgyal extraordinary was his motivation to help people in need and his support for the natural mountain environment. Namgyal was a.o. founder of the first Extreme Everest Expedition in 2010, an all-Nepali expedition to clear the highest slopes above 8000m of Everest of 2000kg/ 4000lbs of waste, and two dead bodies. In collaboration with local and international NGOs, he has greatly increased local access to clean water and modern hygiene facilities in his home region Khotang, he soly created the Everest documentary 'Snow' and was head guide for the Everest Peace Project, Climbing for Water's High Tea project and he voluntarily put the famous Ranan Lurie's Art on the summit of Everest (UN project).

Namgyal was married to Doma Sherpa. They did not have children.