Ang Chhiring Sherpa: Experiencing Everest up-close

Twenty-eight-year-old Ang Chhiring Sherpa, born in the rugged terrain of Okhaldunga, Nepal, has forged his life amidst the peaks of the Himalayas, where every step is a test of endurance, courage, and survival. A seasoned mountaineer, Chhiring’s journey from a humble porter to an expert guide summiting Mount Everest represents the resilience of the Sherpa community and their vital role in the global mountaineering community.

Chhiring’s fascination with the mountains began in his early years. He started his career as many Sherpas do, working as a porter for trekkers navigating the lower regions of the Everest trail. “I used to carry the luggage of those who came for trekking,” says Chhiring, explaining his modest beginnings. This work, though arduous, gave him his first real exposure to the world of high-altitude trekking and the intricate demands placed on those who accompany climbers to the Everest Base Camp and beyond.

Over time, his role evolved from a simple porter to a transporter manager, organizing the logistics of trekking journeys up to Everest Base Camp. He joined 8K Expeditions in 2022 and became a guide, leading groups not just to Everest Base Camp but to the very summit of the world’s highest mountain. The move from base camp logistics to high-altitude guiding required extensive training and mental preparation. He shares that for both guides and foreign trekkers, the training process is rigorous, sometimes taking up to five years.

“Climbing Mount Everest is not something you can do on a whim,” he says. Most climbers, particularly foreigners, arrive in Nepal having already undergone two to three years of preparatory training in their home countries. Once they connect with a company like 8K Expeditions, they undergo further preparation, starting from Kathmandu, where the physical and mental demands of high-altitude climbing are addressed. “We prepare them for the 8,000-meter climb and the training starts in Kathmandu,” says Chhiring.

This preparation involves not only fitness and endurance but also familiarization with the equipment needed for the climb, including oxygen supplies, safety gear, and the intricacies of navigating the dangerous and often unpredictable terrain of Everest. Sherpas, like Chhiring, play a crucial role in ensuring that climbers are adequately prepared and safe throughout the expedition.

Climbing Everest is dangerous, and guides like Chhiring bear the responsibility for the lives of their team members. One of the defining moments in his career was his first successful summit of Everest as a guide. “All throughout the climb I kept thinking about all the risks that came with it,” he reflects. The enormity of the risks involved weighs heavily on all climbers, but for the Sherpa guides, who often bear the brunt of the dangers, the risks are especially pronounced.

Reaching the summit, however, brought an overwhelming sense of achievement. “I can’t describe how happy I was when I reached the top,” says Chhiring. But even in moments of triumph, the dangers are ever-present. On his descent from the summit, late at night, he saw the body of a climber being dragged down the mountain. “I thought that could have been me if luck hadn’t been on my side,” he says.

As time went by, Chhiring learnt to confront the harsh realities of mountaineering. He began to understand the many reasons why climbers perish on the mountain, from lack of oxygen to sheer exhaustion. “At first, I didn’t know the mountains well. I used to see so many dead bodies being rescued off the mountain, and sometimes I would think that could be me,” he admits. “But now, I’ve become stronger and less fearful.”

The challenges of guiding climbers up Everest go beyond physical danger. The logistical and emotional strains of ensuring the safety of every team member are enormous. Chhiring recalls one expedition where his assistant guide suddenly experienced severe altitude sickness and dizziness at 6,000 meters.

“I saw him throw away his glasses, gloves, and even his safety harness,” says Chhiring. Acting quickly, he stopped his colleague from making irrational decisions and descended with him to a lower altitude, saving his life. “The mountain is a very dangerous place,” he adds, “But I’ve been lucky.”.

Despite the grandeur of Everest, its slopes are marred by the debris left behind by decades of climbers. Waste management on Everest has become a significant concern, with climbers and expedition teams often leaving tents, oxygen canisters, and other materials behind as they ascend. “There is a lot of trash at the 7,000-meter camp. Just the thought of it makes me sad,” says Chhiring.

In recent years, the Government of Nepal has allocated budgets for cleaning up the mountain, but progress has been slow. As a dutiful guide, Chhiring and his fellow Sherpas have made it a personal rule to bring back their own waste.  

Adding to the environmental concerns is the impact of climate change. Over the years, Chhiring has observed less snowfall and melting glaciers at the higher altitudes. The shifts in weather patterns and the receding glaciers are clear signs of the environmental changes affecting Everest and the surrounding region.

Chhiring has now summited Everest twice but his journey as a mountaineer is far from over. When he isn’t on an expedition, he spends his days in Kathmandu, training for the next season. His current focus is on summiting Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world, and he has several other expeditions planned for the future.

Despite the dangers and the toll that mountaineering takes on the body and mind, Chhiring feels deeply connected to the mountains. “The mountains are home,” he says. He has learned to embrace the risks, and rely on his experience and growing confidence.