Tashi Delek, I'm Namgyal! [ back ]

During the past 25 years I have worked very hard to create a better life for myself and for my family. Born as a Sherpa son of a poor family in a small village somewhere below Mount Everest, I've been able to work myself up from a street kid in Kathmandu, to trekking porter, kitchen boy and finally as a climbing Sherpa and mountain manager on 8000m peaks. It's easier said then done... I have worked during many treks and smaller climbing expeditions to of 6000m and 7000m peaks, as well. Ten years ago, while I was working as a kitchen boy and was waiting for our clients to summit Cho Oyu in Tibet, I was suddenly asked to bring equipment higher up the mountain and to help clients who where in trouble. At that time I got the opportunity to climb to a real high altitude and to show others that I was able to climb these high mountains. That time I summited my first 8000m peak, a big change in my life...

A career as climbing guide
After I summited Cho Oyu, my career went extremely quickly. I was able to get more experience as a high altitude guide and after many years, I finally could work as a mountain guide and manager during 8000m expeditions. I'm very lucky to be physically very strong at high altitude and that I've been able to learn technical climbing skills. Because of these two skills I have been able to work as a succesful guide and to perform several high altitude rescues as well. Last year, 2010, we have been able to organize the first Nepali Everest Cleaning Expedition in which we brought down two dead bodies from Everest, as well as a lot of garbage. It was a very complicated expedition, but I'm very proud that we made it a succes. Until now I've been fortunate to summit and guide 9 climbing expeditions to Mount Everest, from the Nepalese as well as Tibetan side. I'm still very thankful for it... as I'm still very thankful that we now have our own company!