Our Sherpa Athletes

Lhakpa Rita Sherpa
- One of the world’s best climbers and first Sherpa to climb the Seven Summits
Raised in Thame, Lakpa Rita Sherpa has been professionally guiding and climbing around the world for nearly two decades. This spring he became the first Sherpa ever to climb the “Seven Summits” (the highest peaks on each of the seven continents). He has guided on numerous mountains worldwide and summited Everest 13 times, Cho Oyu three times, Mt. Vinson (in the Antarctica), Denali, Aconcagua and numerous peaks in the Cascades including Mount Baker and Rainier.

Known as the “Best Sardar in the Khumbu,” Lakpa Rita is recognized by other mountain guides, sardars 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 International and lives in Shoreline, Washington with his wife and three children.

Favorite Sherpa Gear: Cho Oyu Jacket and Pants

Pasang Lhamu Sherpa
- Professional mountain and trekking guide
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, climbing 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.

Favorite Sherpa Gear: Lithang Jacket

Serap Jangbu Sherpa
- Top Himalayan alpinist with ascents of eleven 8,000-meter peaks
Serap Jangbu, age 40, is our newest athlete and he’s on a big mission—to become the first Sherpa to climb the world’s 8,000-meter peaks. He already is the first Sherpa and Nepali to have stood atop the eight 8,000-meter peaks in his own country, including Everest three times, and has climbed K2 twice in less than a year. If all goes according to plan, he’ll complete the ‘8,000-ers’ in 2011 with climbs of Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I and Nanga Parbat.

Serap had to leave school when he was twelve to help support his family; now, with two children of his own, he hopes to give them a good education for a bright future, and "all that I didn’t get in my childhood."

Favorite Sherpa Gear: Pertemba Jacket and Pant

Mingma Tenzing Sherpa
- Professional mountain and trekking guide
Mingma Tenjing 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. Though Mingma has a degree in Physical Science, he has always wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps. He regularly climbs Lobutse, Island Peak and Mera Peak. Although Mingma Tenjing would like to climb higher peaks, his family doesn’t allow him to due to the risk. Recently, Mingma started his own climbing and trekking agency in Nepal called Acclimatize Nepal. Married with no children yet, Mingma and his wife Yangji travel to Europe during the off season to climb and promote their business.

Favorite Sherpa Gear: Pangboche Down Sweater

Nima Yangjee Sherpa
- Professional high-altitude, long-distance runner
Nima, our youngest Gear Athlete, is an experienced high-altitude, long-distance marathon racer with 12 major races under her belt, including the Everest Marathon (42 km from Everest Base Camp to Namche), the Annapurna Mandala Trail Race (300 km), and The Ultimate Trail Race (1,000 km from Kathmandu to the Dolpa Himal). She regularly places in the top four with several 1st and 2nd place finishes. Last fall she placed 2nd in women’s and 9th over all in the 300 km Solu Khumbu Trail Marathon and this spring she won the women’s division and placed 8th overall in the Annapurna Mandala Trail Race.

Nima has been interning in our Nepal office learning the intricacies of our gear manufacturing. She continually captivates everyone here with her verve and energy, and has proven herself to be a fantastic asset. She still runs and trains for her next race every day.

Favorite Sherpa Gear: Vajra Jacket

Chhewang Nima Sherpa
- Himalayan alpinist with 17 ascents of Mt. Everest
Chhewang Nima first reached the summit of Everest as part of an American expedition in May of 1994. Since then, he has been to the summit 16 more times via both the north and south faces while supporting a variety of expeditions. Chhewang has also summited several other peaks in Tibet and Nepal, including Cho Oyu, Shishapangma, Ama Dablam, and Nosing Khan. On top of his climbing accomplishments, Chhewang spends his summers in Alaska as a yak trainer. Today he lives in Thamo, above Namche, in the Khumbu Valley with his wife and two children, where he continues to work as a professional guide in the Everest Region.

Favorite Sherpa Gear: Trimurti Modus 3 in 1 Jacket