The Adventure Begins

Two world-record holding Sherpa guides left Utah on Wednesday, March 28, to embark on an unique expedition to the top of the world, designed to raise awareness and funds for the Sherpa people of Nepal.

The "Super Sherpa" ascent will be led by Apa Sherpa, who has reached the 29,035 foot summit of Mount Everest a record 16 times; and Lhapka Sherpa, who has climbed Everest in a record 10 hours, 56 minutes and 46 seconds.

The expedition will be the subject of a documentary, with at least 25 percent of the proceeds going to education, health care, and other needs in Nepal. The team also hopes the documentary will raise awareness about the Sherpa guides and porters who often cross the most dangerous parts of the journey to Everest's summit several times.

Apa and Lhapka will be sending periodic updates as they prepare for the expedition in Kathmandu. Base camp managers Jerry Mika and Roger Kehr will be arriving in Nepal on April 15, along with Dr. Scott McIntosh, of the University of Utah, who will be continuing medical tests on the Sherpa's athleticism that were conducted at The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital in Utah. After reaching base camp, the Sherpas will wait for the right conditions before they attempt to climb to the summit. They hope to climb in early May.

The team will be providing their perspectives on the expedition, Everest and Nepali culture through text, pictures and occasional videos on this site.

We'll also be including perspectives from the home front with contributions from family members living here in Utah.

The route the Sherpa climbers will take is the same route that was taken by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, who first reached the summit in 1953. Keep checking for updates as the expedition progresses.