Our Sherpa Athletes

Lhakpa Rita Sherpa - One of the world’s most experienced climbers with 10 successful Mt. Everest summits

Raised in Thame—the hometown of famed Everest climber Tenzing Norgay— Lakpa Rita Sherpa is on track to be the first Sherpa to successfully climb the “seven summits” (the highest peaks on each of the seven continents.) He has has guided on numerous mountains worldwide and summitted Everest 10 times, Cho-Oyu three times, Mt. Vinson (in the Antarctica), Denali, Aconcagua and numerous peaks in the Cascades including Mounts Baker and Rainer.

Known as the “Best Sirdar in the Khumbu”, Lakpa Rita is recognized by other mountain guides, sirdars and climbers for his unique expertise and experience, and is one of only a few Sherpas working as a full-time mountain guide around the world. Lakpa Rita guides primarily for Alpine Ascents and lives in Shoreline, Washington with his wife and children.

Nuri Sherpa - Professional Himalayan alpinist, with ascents of four 8,000 meter peaks.

Born in 1970, Nuri Sherpa is a highly skilled climber with a wide range of mountaineering experience—he has already climbed Everest from both sides, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Pumori, Dhalulagiri and a host of other high peaks in the Himalayas.

Nuri is a perfectionist, eminently dependable, and honest with his comments on our gear. Always ready to help, never flustered, Nuri Dai (big brother) has endeared himself to the Sherpa Adventure Gear team in Nepal. Living in Kathmandu with his wife and two children, Nuri divided his time between leading expeditions for Climb High during the climbing season and helping our research and development team during the off season. This year he is moving the family to Seattle to work with us in our U.S. office.

Pasang Lhamu Sherpa - Mountaineering and trekking instructor for the Nepal Mountain Instructor Association

Born in Lukla, the starting point for most expeditions, Pasang Lhamu Sherpa has always been interested in climbing. However, she didn’t actually start climbing until 2003, after attending college in Kathmandu. In four short years Pasang Lhamu has summited Everest from the Tibet side, Yala Peak, Nangpai Gusung and Island Peak.

She has also traveled to Italy and France to take mountaineering courses, and climbed numerous peaks there as well. Today, in addition to working as an instructor and part time trekking guide, she is the primary care taker of her 14 year old sister. Pasang Lhamu hopes to summit Everest from the south side this spring.

Favorite Sherpa Gear: Halka Jacket

Mingma Tenzing Sherpa - Professional mountain and trekking guide

Mingma Tenzing Sherpa started working as an assistant guide to his father during holiday vacations when he was just 14 years old. After attending the Hillary school in Khumjung, he went on to high school and college in Kathmandu. Mingma Tenzing has a degree in Physical Science, but he has always wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps. To date he has climbed Lobutse, Island Peak and Mera Peak (6000 meter peaks). He has also traveled to Europe.

Although Mingma Tenzing would like to climb higher peaks, his family doesn’t allow him to due to the risk. Married with no children, he has his own company called Acclimatize Nepal and as well as works as a guide for Climb High during the climbing season.

Favorite Sherpa Gear: Thyanboche Down Jacket.