Climbing Mountains

Published02 August 2017

Reading Time 2 mins

Author Stories of Nepal

Location Nepal

"I come from a very remote place in Nepal, from the base of the Makalu Mountain. My father and mother were simple farmers. There was a very informal learning centre at our village and as a small kid I would attend classes once or twice a week, spending rest of my time helping my parents in the fields and herding sheep. I remember as a kid I would sit and watch the towering mountains visible from the village and wonder in childish amusement. I remember when I was eight or nine years old, I heard stories on the radio about the successful ascent of the high mountains by these brave men. I would also hear about the sherpas. In my heart, I would tell myself that one day I would also be a climber. When I came to Kathmandu for secondary education in a government school, during every school holidays, I would accompany trekkers as a paid porter. It was difficult and there were times I cried. My friends and trekkers on many occasion lost their limbs due to frost bites and I helped them get to safer place. The trouble did not diminish my determination. I had to train myself and gain knowledge about the rugged mountains and the difficult trails if I were to become a successful mountaineer. I worked hard and many were impressed by my agility and sincerity. I made friends in the industry and grabbed every opportunity I could get. I left all fear behind. Today, I have climbed Mt. Everest 4 times, K2 3 times, Dhaulagiri once, Makalu once and other I might forget to mention. All these seemed impossible for me once but I lived with my childhood dream every day and night. Today, I am also in a team of mountain rescuers. Once, I along with other friends rescued 2 mountaineers stranded in the South Col of the Mount Everest. When we came to base, one of them said, "I have all the riches in the world but you rescued me when I had prepared myself to die in loneliness. You do not know that not only you have saved my life but in you I have seen true God." He could not hold his tears in happiness. That day I felt I had accomplished something real in life, the feeling was more overwhelming than climbing all those mountains." (Lakpa Sherpa, Makalu, Sankhuwasabha)

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