Reception at Outdoor Retailer will honor Sherpa who lost lives on Everest
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For Immediate Release
Reception at Outdoor Retailer will honor Sherpa who lost lives on Everest
Lakpa Rita Sherpa, Tashi Sherpa and Norbu Tenzing Norgay will speak
Sherpa Adventure Gear – Booth 3000 – Outdoor Retailer
Thursday, August 7th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Speakers start at approximately 4:30 p.m.
KENT, WASHINGTON, USA and KATHMANDU, NEPAL—June 30, 2014—On April 18th, 2014, a massive avalanche on Mount Everest claimed the lives of 16 Sherpa, a tragedy that deeply impacted the Sherpa, Nepali and climbing communities. Sherpa Adventure Gear invites Outdoor Retailer attendees to honor the unsung Sherpa heroes who lost their lives that day, and join in a conversation about effecting meaningful change on Everest that values the Sherpa and Nepali that make their living there and who make high altitude climbing possible.
Sherpa Adventure Gear will host “Winter of our Spring”—a casual reception with refreshments from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday August 7th in Booth 3000 at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market trade show. Starting at 4:30 p.m. Lakpa Rita Sherpa, Tashi Sherpa and Norbu Tenzing Norgay will speak and invite questions and an open discussion.
Acclaimed Everest guide Lakpa Rita Sherpa, who was on Everest that tragic day, will share his experience. Tashi Sherpa, the founder and CEO of Sherpa Adventure Gear, will offer his reflections on the impact of the tragedy on the Sherpa community, and how he found himself at the center of a global outpouring of grief. Finally, Norbu Tenzing Norgay, Vice President of the American Himalayan Foundation, will discuss ideas for long-term, systemic changes that will improve conditions for the hard-working Sherpa on Everest.
“We invite anyone at OR to join us in paying respects to those who lost their lives this spring, and join us in continuing this important conversation and effort,” said Tashi Sherpa.
About the speakers
Climbing guide Lakpa Rita Sherpa is known as the “Best Sirdar in the Khumbu” for his significant expertise and experience directing Sherpa support on expeditions in the Himalayas. In 2013, he was honored by Outside Magazine as an Adventurer of the Year for his role in orchestrating numerous rescues after several high mountain accidents. He is a Senior Guide for Alpine Ascents International, and one of the only Sherpa working as a full-time mountain guide around the world. Lakpa Rita has safely guided over 250 people to the summit of Everest in 17 expeditions. He was raised in Thame, Nepal in the Khumbu region, and lives in Shoreline, Washington.
Tashi Sherpa is the CEO of Sherpa Adventure Gear, a company he founded in 2003 to pay tribute to his childhood heroes. He grew up India and Nepal at the foothills of the world’s greatest mountain range. Although he has no high peaks to his credit, he considers his own life and carrying out the vision of Sherpa Adventure Gear to be an equally rewarding journey.
Norbu Tenzing Norgay is Vice President of the American Himalayan Foundation and is the eldest son of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, who was the first man to climb Everest along with Sir Edmund Hilary. Born in Darjeeling, India and educated in the United States, Norbu has traveled extensively, particularly in the Himalaya. He comes from a rich heritage of Sherpa climbers – many members of his family have also made their journey to the summit. Like many Sherpas, he is deeply concerned about the ethics of climbing Everest especially in view of recent events. He lives in San Francisco.
About Sherpa Adventure Gear
In the highest reaches of the Himalayas, the Sherpa people lead the world in mountaineering with warmth, grace and good humour. Tashi Sherpa—upon discovering that his uncle assisted Sir Edmund Hilary’s celebrated 1953 expedition to the summit of Everest—founded Sherpa Adventure Gear in 2003 to honour his people by creating the best quality outdoor apparel made in Nepal. The company employs hundreds in Kathmandu and Nepal at its headquarters, stores and manufacturing operations. Marketing and North American sales and distribution is based in Kent, Washington. A portion of every sale benefits the education of Sherpa children through the Paldorje Education Fund, an IRS 501(c)(3) charitable arm the company established in May 2012. For more information, visit www.sherpaadventuregear.com.
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Media Contact for Sherpa Adventure Gear:
Boo Turner, Footloose Communications
boo@footloose-communications.com or cell: 206.554.1596
