May 29 marks the historic first successful ascent of Mt. Everest by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953. Celebrated globally as International Everest Day, this day honors the indomitable spirit of these climbers.
In the UK, Aayo Gorkhali, a venture based in Stafford and initiated by a team of ex-British Gurkhas, commemorated the 71st Everest Day with the UK premiere of ‘Beyond the Summit.’ This short film showcases the resilience of Guinness record holder Phurba Tenjing Sherpa, who recently completed his 16th successful ascent of Everest.
“It was truly an honor to watch such a powerful movie about Everest and the Sherpa people, the guardians of Everest. The scene from 2015 was very emotional. Hats off to these people who live as devotees of Everest,” expressed a local attendee.
The event, attended by nearly 50 locals, celebrated diverse Nepali culture with traditional elements like Silam-Sakma, a symbol of Limbu tribal community and dinner on lapte, a leaf plate made up of the Sal tree, representing Newar community. Guests heard inspiring stories from Everest summiteers Rojita Buddhacharya and Rakesh Sunuwar.
Buddhacharya, an astrophysicist, actor and journalist, who led the first women journalists to Everest in 2018, shared her journey of overcoming prejudices. “When I look back at our Everest journey, it wouldn’t have been possible without the warm embrace of Mother Chomolungma herself and our Sherpa guides. You can climb Everest without oxygen but not without Sherpas”.
Sunuwar, an ex-British Gurkha and director of Doko Homes, climbed Everest in 2017. Inspired by Min Bahadur Sherchan, the oldest person to summit Everest, Sunuwar pursued his childhood dream. In 2015, on the 200th anniversary of Gurkha service to the Crown, an expedition aimed to place the first serving Gurkhas on Everest. An earthquake interrupted their mission, but in 2017, they made it happen.
Veteran climber Kaji Sherpa, a nine-time Everest summiteer, was also featured at the event. Kaji, who has been part of the mountaineering world since 1984 and the champion of the Yak Attack 2008, the world’s highest mountain bike race, shared memories of his friend Lopsang Jangbu, the climbing sirdar during the tragic 1996 Everest expedition.
“This was the perfect opportunity to tell the stories of the unsung heroes of the Himalayas, the Sherpas, who have played a crucial role in every Everest expedition since 1922,” said event coordinator Sanjog Karki.
Overall, the event highlighted the enduring spirit of mountaineers and the cultural heritage of Nepal, offering a moving tribute to the legacy of Everest.
