Asian Trekking

Everest towers over its western shoulder, the Khumbu icefall, and on the right Nuptse
Closer view of Everest and its western shoulder
Chinese Tibet's Shishapangma
Lhotse
Lhotse and Everest peaks from space (their eastern side)

Asian Trekking is a commercial adventure company based in Nepal started by Sherpa Ang Tshering.[1] Ang Tshering (b. 1953) was one of the first graduates of Sir Edmund Hillary’s school and then went on to found Asian Trekking in 1982.[2] Asian Trekking is based out of Kathmandu, Nepal.[3] In 2001, it was recorded that Asian Trekking ran 25 large mountain expeditions per year.[4] In particular, they are known for supporting treks to Mount Everest.[1] Asian Trekking made international news across the Globe, when in 2006 four of its clients and two of its Sherpas died in a single season.[5][6][7] One of the clients, David Sharp, died near the summit and this event became the center of an international climbing ethics controversy.[7] Ang said that climbers can die if they use all their energy getting to the summit of Mount Everest, only to be too fatigued for the descent.[1]

Overview

Asian Trekking is known in mountaineering for providing "logistics only" Everest expeditions, which, although cheap, do not offer a lot of extras higher up the mountain.[8] Logistics only, compared to guided or even non-guided climbs, is typically cheaper and gives climbers more freedom, but along with that are fewer safe-guards.[8] Asian Trekking sells unguided Everest expeditions for both the north and south side, but they are oriented towards supplying basic supplies and expedition organization such as hiring a local sherpa.[9]

History

Asian Trekking has organized multiple years of Eco Everest Mt Everest expedition, and often provides logistics for many expeditions.[10] AT supported the International Everest Expedition 2001.[11] In 2009 Asian Trekking organized for several expeditions including the just mentioned Eco Everest Expedition 2009, Atumas Taiwanese 7 Summit and Everest Expedition 2009, International Adventure Alternative Everest Expedition 2009, 7 Summit Club Everest Expedition 2009, Kazak Lhotse-Everest Expedition 2009, and Indo Bangladesh Mt. Makalu Expedition.[12] Sadly they lost one person, Lhakpa Nuru who died was supporting the Eco Everest Expedition.[13]

One tragic year was in 2006 when multiple clients died including David Sharp, Vitor Negrete, Thomas Weber, and Igor Plyushkin.[7][14] In addition, two Asian Trekking Sherpas were killed on April 21, 2006 in a serec fall on the south side: Lhakpa Tseri and Dawa Temba.[15]

At the time of his death, David Sharp was found to be in possession of a receipt for $7,490USD, believed to be the whole financial cost with Asian Trekking.[16] Comparatively, fully guided expeditions are between 30 to one hundred thousand USD plus an additional twenty thousand in other expenses that range from gear to bonuses.[17]

The Washington Times notes that Asian Trekking said Mr. Sharp did not take enough oxygen, and did not take a sherpa helper, and was part of "loose group", not a climbing team all of which put him at higher risk.[18] Asian Trekking services are cheap because they essentially end at base camp (unless they hire a guide).[18] However, Brazilian Vitor Negrete, also climbing with Asian Trekking and possibly teaming with David, died days later despite having a Sherpa helper.[18] In Vitor's case he developed medical problems returning from the summit and died in the arms of his Sherpa assistant.[18][19]

AT has supported expeditions on the North and South sides of Mount Everest, and also to Lhotse.[20][21] Asian Trekking has supported International Dream Everest and Eco Everest Expedition trips to Mount Everest.[22] Lhakpa Nuru Sherpa was from Phurte, Nepal and is recorded to have died on May 7, 2009 on the south side of Everest.[23]

In the aftermath of 2015 Mount Everest avalanche, Asian Trekking and Himex were reported to help injured people at their camps.[24]

Examples of lost clients, employees, etc. connected with AT

Deaths[5] Nation[25] Year
Dawa Temba[6]    Nepal 2006
Lhakpa Tseri[6]    Nepal 2006
David Sharp[7]  United Kingdom 2006
Vitor Negrete[7]  Brazil 2006
Thomas Weber  Germany 2006
Igor Plyushkin  Russia 2006
Lhakpa Nuru[13]    Nepal 2009
Dr Eberhard Schaaf  Germany 2012[26]

Summiters/Expeditions

Manaslu, a high mountain in Nepal

Jakob Urth attempted summit Lhotse supported by Asian Trekking.[28] AT has also supported expeditions to Manaslu.[29]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Mirror UK Everest Death Zone: Mountaineers die descending from the summit
  2. ↑ Ang Tshering Sherpa
  3. ↑ ON TOP OF WORLD: My Everest Adventure By Arjun Vajpai
  4. ↑ Sir Edmund Hillary & the People of Everest By Cynthia Russ Ramsay, Anne B. Keiser - Page 132
  5. 1 2 The Independent - Cold mountain: Death on Everest
  6. 1 2 3 Dispatch 19: Massive Collapse in Khumbu Icefall Claims the Lives of Three Sherpa Climbers
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Dark Summit: The True Story of Everest's Most Controversial Season By Nick Heil - Page 171
  8. 1 2 Logistics for climbing Mount Everest from Nepal - My experiences with Asian Trekking and IMG
  9. ↑ The Cost$ of Climbing Everest - 2010
  10. ↑ Eco Everest
  11. ↑ Asian-Trekking International Everest Expedition 2001
  12. ↑ Everest 2009: tragedy and sorrow with eleven fatalities on various peaks this season
  13. 1 2
  14. ↑ Outside Magazine -Over the Top
  15. ↑ "Un-named Everest Sherpa gets a name - and fatality details". ExplorersWeb. 29 May 2006.
  16. ↑ Telegraph - Summit Fever
  17. ↑ Odd Spending -The Economics of Everest By Katherine Tarbox Jan. 23, 2012
  18. 1 2 3 4 The Washington Times - Everest climber left to die alone - May 2006
  19. ↑ Brazilian Vitor Negrete lost on Everest after a no O2 summit
  20. ↑ Asian Trekking's Eco, Lumbini to Everest, & Peace Expeditions Update, April 29
  21. ↑
  22. ↑ Asian Trekking's Mt.Everest North Side (Tibet) Summit
  23. ↑ HD A16 (2009 deaths)
  24. ↑ Grand Forks climber helps after devastating Mt. Everest earthquake
  25. ↑ Himalayan Database - A17
  26. ↑ The Telegraph - Three climbers killed on Mount Everest
  27. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Summits on Everest, Lhotse and Shishapangma Central
  28. ↑
  29. ↑ Asian Trekking's International Manaslu Expedition Team Summited Mt.Manaslu(8163M)

External links

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