Kathmandu, Nepal – Kanchha Sherpa, Last Link to Historic First Ascent of Mount Everest, Passes Away at 92

Kanchha Sherpa, the last surviving member of the legendary 1953 Mount Everest expedition that saw Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa become the first climbers to reach the world’s highest peak, has died at the age of 92 in Nepal’s capital.

Born in 1933, Kanchha was just 19 when he joined the historic expedition as a porter. Despite having no prior mountaineering experience, he climbed above 8,000 meters (26,200 feet), carrying essential supplies and equipment, playing a critical role in the team’s success.

A Grueling Journey on Uncharted Terrain

Unlike modern climbers who follow well-established routes guided by experienced Nepali Sherpas, Kanchha and his team navigated Everest largely on their own. The expedition trekked for over two weeks to the base camp while transporting tents, food, and other essential gear, in the absence of roads, vehicles, or airplanes.

“Everyone walked from there because there weren’t any roads, no motor vehicles, no planes,” Kanchha recalled in a 2013 interview with AFP. He described the expedition as grueling but ultimately joyous, though he lamented that the credit for the arduous work was largely focused on Hillary and Tenzing.

“Everyone knew Tenzing and Hillary climbed Everest, but nobody knows how hard we worked along the way,” he said.

Early Life and Journey to Everest

Kanchha ran away from his home in Namche Bazaar as a teenager to Darjeeling, India, seeking Tenzing Norgay and the opportunity to work in mountaineering. Initially, he performed chores at Tenzing’s house before joining the British-led Everest expedition months later. He was paid a modest daily wage of just a few Nepali rupees but played a crucial role in the team’s success.

Legacy of the Sherpa Community

Over the decades, the term “Sherpa” has become synonymous with high-altitude guides and mountaineering expertise. Members of the Sherpa ethnic group carry enormous physical risks, transporting heavy loads, fixing ropes, and maintaining ladders, forming the backbone of Nepal’s multibillion-dollar mountaineering industry.

Kanchha continued working in the mountains for two more decades until his wife urged him to stop following the deaths of many friends assisting climbers. He later ran a lodge in Namche Bazaar and established a foundation supporting children from families unable to afford schooling.

From the windows of his lodge, Kanchha witnessed the transformation of the Everest region from a remote high-altitude frontier into a hub of tourism and mountaineering. In a 2019 interview, he reflected, “Tenzing and Hillary opened our eyes and made development possible here.”

A Lasting Tribute

Kanchha Sherpa’s passing marks the end of a direct link to one of mountaineering history’s most iconic achievements. His dedication, courage, and humility remain a testament to the often-unsung contributions of Sherpas in high-altitude expeditions.