Kathmandu– Kanchha Sherpa, the last surviving member of the historic 1953 expedition that first conquered Mount Everest, passed away on Thursday at his home in Kapan, Kathmandu. He was 89.
According to Phur Gelje Sherpa, President of the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), Kanchha had been unwell for some time. “With his passing, there are no longer any surviving members of that legendary team of climbers, which is a great loss for the entire mountaineering community,” he said.
Kanchha is survived by two sons, two daughters, and their children. His last rites will be performed on October 20 according to Sherpa tradition.
Born in March 1937 in Nepal, Kanchha was only 17 when he joined the 35-member British expedition that made history on May 29, 1953, when Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay of Nepal became the first to reach the 8,848.86-meter summit of Mount Everest. Kanchha was one of three Sherpas who reached the final camp with the summit duo.
After the historic climb, Kanchha continued his career as a high-altitude guide and remained deeply connected to the mountain that defined his life. In a 2024 interview, he voiced concern over the increasing overcrowding and pollution on Everest, urging climbers to treat the peak with respect. “Everest is our Mother Goddess,” he said, lamenting that the vital role of Sherpas in the 1953 expedition was never fully recognized.
The Nepal Mountaineering Association hailed him as a “historic and legendary figure,” noting that with his death, “a chapter of mountaineering history has vanished.” In a statement, the NMA said, “The Nepali tourism industry mourns the loss of this historic and legendary figure. His absence leaves an irreplaceable void.”
The association also paid tribute to him on X, writing, “Heartfelt condolences! The Nepali tourism industry will miss you dearly. Rest in eternal peace, legend.” (Source: IANS)
