From: Jonathan McDonagh
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| EVEREST LIVE | |
| April 23, 2001 | |
From: Jonathan McDonagh |
Pemba Geljun Sherpa. |
Throughout the history of mountaineering in the Everest region (also known as the Khumbu), the Sherpa people have been the backbone of our accomplishments. They have carried, schlepped, and hoisted the tents, food, coils of rope, computers and everything else from the valley to the mountaintops. They have cooked our meals; they have hosted us in their homes. They have prepared the routes for us, fixing lines, making the ice and rock as safe as can be so that we may have the best shot at reaching the top. They have saved our lives high up on the mountain, and they have died, working as part of our expeditions. As a group the climbing Sherpas, those who undertake the job of climbing the mountain itself in order to bring gear and food to high altitude camps, are mostly unrecognized for their phenomenal ability. They race up the mountain at altitudes that make the strongest Western climbers stop to catch their breath. Tenzing Norgay helped make the Sherpa name a world icon when he reached the summit of Mt. Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953, but in general, the Sherpas are identified only as that: 'the Sherpas' when it comes to the literature and recognition of mountaineering in Nepal. Our goal here as Base Camp crew is to put names to the faces of these noble individuals who often climb the mountain several times in order to ensure that everything is set and ready for our summit attempts. In the days that follow, our goal will be to introduce another one of our Sherpa staff: both from the climbing and Base Camp crew, to the world via our Web site. The first in this series, picked randomly is Pemba Geljun Sherpa, a member of the climbing team. Pemba Geljun Sherpa: climbing Sherpa Age: 27 Hometown: Khumjung, Nepal This is Pemba's third climbing expedition. He worked on Ama Dablam last year and on another Everest expedition before that. When asked what he likes about climbing, Pemba states: "it's good" and is not sure if it's dangerous. He enjoys, as much as he respects, the Puja ceremony. He is not afraid to celebrate, but when it comes time to climb, he is strong and silent. He has one brother and two sisters. His brother is also a climbing Sherpa on another Everest expedition this season. Before climbing, he studied in Khumjung. He is married and has a sixteen-month-old son who lives in Mon La, near Khumjung. In the off season, he spends time cutting wood and doing other activities. He enjoys playing volleyball as well. |
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