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 the name of 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 has explained 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 is less 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]

For example, 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.^[10] 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.^[11]

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.^[12] Asian Trekking services are cheap because they essentially end at base camp (unless they hire a guide).^[12] However, Brazilian Vitor Negrete, also climbing with Asian Trekking and possibly teaming with David, died days later despite having a Sherpa helper.^[12] In Vitor's case he developed medical problems returning from the summit and died in the arms of his Sherpa assistant.^[12]^[13]

History

Asian Trekking has organized multiple years of Eco Everest Mt Everest expedition, and often provides logistics for many expeditions.^[14] AT supported the International Everest Expedition 2001.^[15] 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.^[16] Sadly they lost one person, Lhakpa Nuru who died was supporting the Eco Everest Expedition.^[17]

One tragic year was in 2006 when multiple clients died including David Sharp, Vitor Negrete, Thomas Weber, and Igor Plyushkin.^[7]^[18] 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.^[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^[17]	Nepal	2009
Dr Eberhard Schaaf	Germany	2012^[26]

Summiters/Expeditions

Manaslu, a high mountain in Nepal

Everest 2013
- Shera Gyalzen Sherpa^[27]
- Pemba Tshering^[27]
- David Liano Gonzalez^[27]
- Samden Bhote^[27]
Shishapangma 2013
- Zoltan Benedek^[27]
- Batmanlai Ulzli-Orshikh^[27]

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

References

External links

Outside Magazine article Over the Top about commercial Everest summiting circa 2006 (Including some examples of A.T. clients)

Mount Everest

Topography and landmarks	Base Camp Geneva Spur Hillary Step Hornbein Couloir Kangshung Face Kangshung Glacier Khumbu Glacier Khumbu Icefall Lhakpa La Lho La North Col North Face Norton Couloir Rongbuk Glacier South Col South Summit Three Pinnacles Three Steps "Green Boots cave" Western Cwm

Expeditions	1921 British reconnaisance 1922 British 1924 British (Affair of the Dancing Lamas) 1933 British 1935 British 1936 British 1938 British 1950–52 British–Swiss–US reconnaissance 1951 British 1952 Swiss 1953 British 1975 British SW Face 1996 Indo-Tibetan Border Police 2006 Philippine 2007 Altitude Everest expedition Earth Day 20 International Peace Climb Mallory and Irvine Research Expedition Timeline of climbing Mount Everest List of Mount Everest guides

Disasters and notable deaths	1970 disaster 1974 avalanche 1996 disaster Green Boots David Sharp 2014 avalanche 2015 avalanches List of people who died climbing Mount Everest

Committees	Joint Himalayan Committee Mount Everest Committee

In media	Beyond the Edge The Climb (book) The Climb (2007 film) Everest (1998 film) Everest (2015 film) Everest (Indian TV series) Everest '82 Everest: Beyond the Limit EverestMax Expedition Everest (roller coaster) Into Thin Air The Man Who Skied Down Everest Mount Everest webcam Paths of Glory Peak The Wildest Dream Wings Over Everest

Everest massif	Khumbutse Lhotse Lingtren Nuptse Pumori

List of Mount Everest records Times to the summit 20th-century summiters

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