Nepali-American mountaineer Chhuldim Ang Dorjee Sherpa successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest (8,848.86m) for the 25th time on Thursday morning, marking another remarkable milestone in his decades-long Himalayan career.
He was part of an Adventure Consultants team, which was locally managed by Himalayan Guides Nepal. According to Managing Director Iswari Paudel, the entire team reached the summit at 6:25 am Nepal Time on May 21 under clear weather conditions and light winds.
From Pangboche Porter to Global High-Altitude Legend
Born in 1970 in Pangboche, a historic Sherpa village in the Khumbu region known for its deep mountaineering heritage, Chhuldim Ang Dorjee Sherpa began his journey in the mountains at just 12 years old, working as a porter following in his family’s footsteps.
His father, Nima Tenzing Sherpa, had previously climbed with renowned British mountaineer Chris Bonington, embedding a strong legacy of Himalayan climbing in the family. Over time, Chhuldim Ang Dorjee rose through the ranks to become one of the most respected high-altitude leaders in the global mountaineering community.
1996 Everest Season and Rise as a Senior Climbing Sirdar
Sherpa gained international recognition as a climbing Sirdar for Adventure Consultants during the tragic 1996 Everest season, a period that tested expedition leadership, decision-making and survival under extreme conditions. His performance during that historic and challenging season established him as a trusted leader in high-altitude expeditions, further strengthening his long-term association with international climbing teams.
Dual Life Between Himalayas and United States
Today, Chhuldim Ang Dorjee Sherpa leads a dual life between Nepal’s Himalayas and the United States, where he works as a wind turbine mechanic near Boise, Idaho, while continuing his mountaineering career as a senior guide and Sirdar for Adventure Consultants. His high-altitude achievements extend well beyond Everest, with a total of 29 successful ascents of peaks above 8,000 metres, including Cho Oyu, Broad Peak and Gasherbrum II.
Team Ascent Under Clear Himalayan Skies
The summit push on Thursday followed a well-coordinated ascent through the narrow cornice traverse and the challenging Hillary Step before the team reached the top under stable weather conditions. The expedition team included climbers with varying levels of experience, reflecting the diversity typical of high-altitude expeditions.
Full Summit Team Roster
The AC/HGN team members who successfully reached the summit include:
- Stella Hawkins: 1st summit
- Chhuldim Ang Dorjee Sherpa: 25th summit
- Chhewang Dorji Sherpa: 17th summit
- Ngima Chhiring Sherpa: 16th summit
- Pasang Rinji Sherpa: 4th summit
According to expedition officials, the team’s combined experience highlights the layered expertise required for modern Everest climbs, ranging from first-time summiters to veteran climbers with dozens of successful ascents over decades.
