Government Should Focus on Sherpa Community: Norbu Norgay

Norbu Tenzing Norgay, the eldest son of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, one of the first two individuals who climbed Mt Everest in 1953, is unhappy with the government’s move barring Sherpa climbers from obtaining summit certificates.

“It only adds to the insult to injury for the unsung heroes of mountain climbing,” said Norbu.

In this regard, Norbu (54) called upon the mountaineering industry, expedition companies, associations, and climbers to speak on behalf of the Sherpa climbers who were denied summit certificates by the government.

He went on to say, “for a true mountaineer, the pride and satisfaction of reaching a summit is far more important than a paper issued by a government office,” while pointing out at government’s reluctance to support Sherpa climbers.

Significant Development Only with Sherpa Community

Norbu, who is also an advocate for reducing risk on Mt Everest, said the clients should understand that a qualified Sherpa’s decisions on safety are as valid as those of the expedition leader.

According to Norbu, high altitude Sherpas and mountaineering workers are at a risk of losing their jobs if found discussing with the Sherpa families about the loss of lives of their family members during the mountaineering activity.

“My family is no exception and this issue of risk and inequity is never far from our minds. I think we can all benefit but significant change can only happen with a combination of self-regulation, involvement of the Sherpa community and if there is someone powerful locally to take on the industry,” noted Norbu.