Adam Knoff on the ALCF - Click here for pictures from Adam's trips.
Since the start of organized climbing and trekking expeditions to the great peaks of the Nepal Himalaya, the indigenous mountain people, also known to most as Sherpas have been instrumental in accomplishments made by foreign adventurers. As trekking, climbing and tourism popularity grows in these once isolated agricultural regions, now used as gateways to many of the world's highest mountains, so does the demand on the locals to assist in many of the laborious chores associated with great tasks such as climbing an 8000 meter peak. It is a common misconception for those knowing only the name Sherpa through stories read in climbing novels, that these amazingly strong and willing people possess unmatchable technical skill on the steep and hazardous slopes of the daunting Himalaya. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The name Sherpa is a Klan name possessed by those whom have lived and multiplied for generations in the same mountainous regions for hundreds of years. By trade, Sherpas are farmers and herders making their living by trading and selling goods at local markets. Only in the last eighty years have these people been utilized in the mountains for reasons completely foreign to them. Climbing mountains is something done by westerners as pleasure, it is done by Sherpas as an occupation.
It is this very reason the Khumbu Climbing School, started by Conrad Anker and Jenny Lowe, is such an incredible resource to the local people of the Khumbu region of Nepal.
The Khumbu climbing school is a seven day vocational school located in the small village of Phortse, a one day hike from Namche Bazaar, teaching Sherpas technical climbing skills. Skills range from advanced to novice and the curriculum includes, knots, rope handling and management, ice climbing, anchors, first aid many other hard skills used in making the dangerous job of guiding big mountains that much safer. Held every winter, this annual school is growing twice in size every year, giving the up and coming school over 100 registered Sherpas.
Through the sponsorship of Mountain Link, I have been fortunate enough to instruct for the last two years with plans to do so for my third straight year this winter. It is a life changing experience to work and climb with such amazing people. One can only hope to some day be as genuine and talented as the Sherpa people of Nepal. I look forward to every day I get spend with them.
To find out more, go to www.alexlowe.org
