Super Sherpas Set World Record On Mount Everest
On the morning of May 16th, Apa & Lhakpa Sherpa led their all-Sherpa team to the summit of Mount Everest. This successful summit means Apa has set another world-record with 17 summits of Mount Everest to date.
World record holders Apa Sherpa and Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa and their all-Sherpa expedition have reached the summit of Mt. Everest surpassing Apa’s previous world record of 16 summits.
At 8:44am, on May 16th, Apa Sherpa called basecamp on his radio. “We are on the summit. We are on the summit,” he said. Apa Sherpa and Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa, and their five support Sherpas, were treated to clear skies and what they described as windless conditions.
After climbing over 7000 feet in less than 24 hours the SuperSherpas team survived snow and subfreezing temperatures to place the Nepali flag on the summit of Chomolungma, at a height of 29,035 feet. With wind gusts of more than 40 knots and wind chills approaching minus 50 degrees, the most experienced team on Everest has completed the uphill part of its journey. Combined, the team members had an astonishing 55 summits of Everest before this most recent attempt.
Both Apa and Lhakpa Sherpa both anticipate this expedition will promote peace for the world, and improve life for the people of the Everest Region. “We want to continue in Sir Edmund Hillary’s footsteps and contribute to education and improving health care in the Khumbu region and for all Nepali people in the remote regions,” they said during the expedition.
The SuperSherpas Expedition was formed to bring attention to the 100 years of untold accomplishments of the Sherpa and Nepali people. To help further tell the story of the Sherpas, a book and documentary on the topic are underway. The expedition has been documented by an all-Sherpa professional high-definition camera crew. The footage will be used in the upcoming film.
The SuperSherpas Team includes: Apa Sherpa, Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa, A Rita Sherpa, Ang Passang Sherpa, Pemba Ringee Sherpa, Dawa Sherpa, Ang Tshering Sherpa, and Passang Geljin Sherpa.
The expedition was lead sponsored by Marmot, with additional support from REI, EK accessories, The Backside, Karma Outdoor Clothing, La Sportiva, DezArt Cinematic, Julbo, Brunton, Icom America, World Record Expeditions, Suunto, Group Mobile, and Exploradus.
“This is a premier example of the kind of expedition Marmot likes to sponsor – with the quality people we want to support” explains Tom Fritz, Vice President of Marketing for Marmot. “Apa Sherpa and I have worked together many times before and it is fantastic to have helped him realize his Everest dreams – again!” adds Fritz, who sponsored the Super Sherpas team and support crew with high-altitude down clothing, storm gear, mountaineering tents and packs.
May 29th, 2007 at 7:35 am
To learn more about the Sherpa tribe that makes climbing Everest possible, read Beyond the Summit by Linda LeBlanc. Details of Sherpa culture and religion are interwoven in a tale of romance and high adventure. The story has something for everyone: a love affair between an American journalist and Sherpa guide, conflict between generations as the modern world challenges centuries of tradition, an expedition from the porter’s point of view.
Below are selections from reviews. To read the complete ones and excerpts go to www.beyondthesummit-novel.com
Beyond the Summit, is the rare gem that shows us the triumphs and challenges of a major climb from the porter’s point of view. The love of two people from diverse cultures is the fiery centerpiece of a novel that leads its readers through harshly beautiful and highly dangerous territory to the roof of the world. Malcolm Campbell, book reviewer
Conflict and dialog keep this gripping story of destiny, romance and adventure moving from the first page to the last paragraph. LeBlanc has a genius for bonding her readers and her characters. I found I was empathizing in turn with each character as they faced their own personal crisis or trauma.
Richard Blake for Readers Views.
A gripping, gut-twisting expedition through the eyes of a porter reveals the heart and soul of Sherpas living in the shadows of Everest. EverestNews.com
A hard-hitting blend of adventure and romance which deserves a spot in any serious fiction collection. Midwest Book Review
LeBlanc is equally adept at describing complex, elusive emotions and the beautiful, terrifying aspect of the Himalayan Mountains. Boulder Daily Camera
LeBlanc’s vivid description of the Himalayas and the climbing culture makes this a powerful read. Rocky Mt News Pick of the Week
A rich adventure into the heart of the Himalayan Kingdom. Fantastic story-telling from one who has been there. USABookNews.com
This is the book to read before you embark on your pilgrimage to Nepal. The author knows and loves the people and the country, and makes you feel the cold thin air, the hard rocks of the mountains, the tough life of the Sherpa guides, and you learn to love them too. This is a higly literate, but also very readable book. Highly recommended.”
– John (college professor)
Memorable characters and harrowing encounters with the mountains keep the action moving with a vibrant balance of vivid description and dialogue. Literary Cafe Host, Healdsburg, CA
This superbly-crafted novel will land you in a world of unimaginable beauty, adventure, and romance. The love story will keep you awake at night with its vibrant tension and deep rich longing. Wick Downing, author of nine novels
Such vividly depicted images of the Everest region and the Sherpa people are the perfect scenario for the romance and adventure feats narrated. It’s a page-turner, so engrossing you end up wanting to visit Nepal! Not just novel, but perfect for those seeking to get acquainted with the culture of this country.
By Claudia Fournier (América, Bs. As., Argentina)
The book is available from amazon.com and other fine bookstores. Visit BeyondTheSummit-Novel.com for an autographed copy.