Kanchha Sherpa, the last surviving member of the team that first conquered Mount Everest in 1953, has died at the age of 92, the Nepal Mountaineering Association confirmed. He passed away early on Thursday at his home in Kapan, Kathmandu district, after a period of ill health.
Kanchha was one of 35 members of the expedition that put New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay atop the 8,849-metre peak on 29 May 1953. He was among three Sherpas who reached the final camp below the summit, hearing news of the successful ascent by radio.
Born in 1933 in the village of Namche in the Everest foothills, Kanchha began mountaineering at 19. His father's friendship with Norgay helped him secure a job as a high-altitude porter for the historic climb. He remained active in expeditions until the age of 50, but never summited Everest himself, as his wife considered it too risky.
In an interview earlier this year, Kanchha expressed concerns about overcrowding and litter on the mountain, urging respect for Qomolangma, the mother goddess revered by Sherpas. He said: 'It would be better for the mountain to reduce the number of climbers. People smoke and eat meat and throw them on the mountain.'
Ang Tshering Sherpa of the Nepal Mountaineering Association described Kanchha as 'full of energy' and widely respected in the climbing community, even in his old age trekking to monasteries for religious ceremonies. He is survived by his wife, four sons, two daughters and grandchildren.
