R. I. P. Namgyal Sherpa - 36

What happened?

Together with Galden Sherpa, Namgyal had successfully guided their 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 Namgyal, he complained about not feeling well and pointed to his heart. Just a short moment later Namgyal did not move again and had died.

Who was Namgyal Sherpa?

Namgyal was remarkable man with a remarkable life. He was the son of a poor family in the remote district of Khotang, Nepal. After fleeing his home town at a young age, he survived in Kathmandu, living under very poor circumstances. After some difficult years he got the opportunity to work for an expedition company. Thanks to his exceptional strength, motivation, talents and charme, 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 among others 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 and he soly created the Everest documentary 'Snow' and was head guide for the Everest Peace Project, Climbing for Water's High Tea project and famous Ranan Lurie’s Art on Everest project.

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