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Apa SherpaNepalese mountain guide
Country:
 Nepal |
Content:
Biography of Apa Sherpa
Apa Sherpa, a Nepalese mountaineer and Sherpa, is known for his record-breaking 21 ascents of Mount Everest. He was born as Lhakpa Tenzing Sherpa in 1961 in a village near the Chinese border in Nepal. When his father passed away, 12-year-old Apa took on the responsibility of caring for his family, including his mother, two sisters, and three brothers. He had to drop out of school and started working as a porter for groups of mountaineers who frequently visited the region.
Climbing Career
Apa's climbing career began in 1985 when he worked in the base camp kitchens and occasionally served as a porter. It was not until 1990 that he made his first successful ascent to the summit of Mount Everest. On May 10, 1990, Apa Sherpa reached the summit of Everest for the first time, alongside an international group of climbers. Sherpas, like Apa, often remain behind the scenes, as the world mostly recognizes the renowned mountaineers fighting for the right to plant their country's flag on the world's most treacherous peaks. Few people realize that the history of these expeditions would not have been written if not for the local inhabitants. Sherpas patiently carry enormous backpacks, establish mountain trails, predict weather conditions, and search for lost or distressed climbers.
Transition to Mountain Guides
Recently, the traditional role of Sherpas as porters has been reevaluated, and since the summer of 2012, Nepalese Sherpas have officially become "mountain guides" and members of the Nepal Mountaineering Association. Apa Sherpa is one of these unsung heroes who has stood on the summit of Everest more than 20 times. However, his name is only well-known within professional circles. Nevertheless, mountaineers are well aware of him, and he has earned the nickname "Super Sherpa" for his endurance, intuition, and wisdom, which are crucial in the mountains. Apa's ascents of Everest have become an annual tradition, and in 1992, he even climbed the mountain twice, once in the spring and once in the autumn.
Family and Legacy
The money Apa earns in the mountains goes towards supporting his family. He has a wife named Yangjin and three children, two boys, and a girl. The family has already relocated to the United States and now resides in Draper, Utah. Apa Sherpa is one of the most famous mountain guides and has received recognition, while many of his fellow Sherpas still associate themselves with the heaviest work in expeditions, such as setting up camps, cooking, and carrying heavy loads. However, with recent regulations, there is hope that this situation will change. Apa Sherpa even founded the Apa Sherpa Foundation, which aims to improve the education system and promote economic development in Nepal.
In total, Apa Sherpa has reached the summit of Mount Everest 21 times, with his most recent ascent being on May 11, 2011. Despite his numerous successful expeditions, he has also experienced a few unsuccessful ones throughout his long mountaineering career.
