The Everest Summiteers Association (ESA) on Wednesday observed the 25th memorial of legendary Everest climber Babu Chhiri Sherpa with a series of commemorative programmes held at Salik and Sangrahalaya in Tilganga and Gaushala, Kathmandu Metropolitan City. The event brought together senior mountaineers, family members, and representatives from national and international climbing organizations to honor one of Nepal’s most iconic Himalayan figures.
Prominent Climbing Community Participation
The memorial ceremony was attended by ESA President Maya Sherpa, Senior Vice President Diwas Pokhrel, Nawang Dima Sherpa, President of the Alpine Sports Association Inc. of the United States, and Pemba Gyaljen Sherpa, Vice President of the Babu Chhiri Sherpa Foundation.
Family members, colleagues, and fellow climbers also joined the event, which began with a Buddhist prayer ceremony followed by floral tributes, lamp lighting, and homage at the memorial site. The gathering reflected deep respect and admiration for Babu Chhiri Sherpa’s unmatched contribution to Himalayan mountaineering.
Remembering a Record-Breaking Climber
Speaking at the event, ESA President Maya Sherpa recalled Babu Chhiri Sherpa’s historic achievements, including his 1990 Everest summit alongside French climber Marc Batard and his extraordinary 1999 feat of spending 21 hours at the summit of Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen. She described the achievement as one of the most remarkable endurance records in the history of Himalayan climbing.
Senior Vice President Diwas Pokhrel also shared a lesser-known incident from Babu Chhiri’s career. In 1999, while descending through the Khumbu Icefall, he fell nearly 20 metres into a crevasse but was saved by his rope. Despite carrying heavy equipment weighing around 25 to 30 kilograms, including oxygen cylinders and survival gear, he managed to climb out safely.
Tragic End and Lasting Legacy
Pokhrel also recalled the tragic circumstances of Babu Chhiri Sherpa’s death in 2001. While stationed at Everest’s second base camp for photography work rather than climbing, he fell into a crevasse and died at the age of 36. At the time, he was serving as the Second Vice President of ESA. His passing marked a profound loss for Nepal’s mountaineering community, cutting short the life of one of its most accomplished climbers.
Celebrated Achievements and Global Recognition
Nawang Dima Sherpa highlighted Babu Chhiri Sherpa’s extensive list of national and international honors. These include the Gorkha Dakshinbahu, National Youth Excellence Award, Pasang Lhamu Award, Nepal Mountaineering Association Award, and recognition from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, among more than two dozen other accolades.
His extraordinary records include:
- Spending 21 hours at Everest’s summit without oxygen (1999)
- Reaching the summit from Base Camp in 16 hours and 56 minutes (2000)
- Successfully summiting Everest twice in a single season (1995 and 1999)
These achievements continue to be regarded as milestones in global mountaineering history.
Foundation Continues His Mission
Pemba Gyaljen Sherpa, Vice President of the Babu Chhiri Sherpa Foundation, stated that the foundation continues to honor his legacy through education, health, and community development programs in Himalayan regions. He emphasized ongoing efforts to inspire younger generations to pursue mountaineering while promoting safe climbing practices and responsible adventure tourism.
Family and Community Commitment
Family members of Babu Chhiri Sherpa reaffirmed their commitment to preserving his legacy through expanded memorial activities in the future. They expressed gratitude to the mountaineering community for continuing to honor his contributions and ensure his achievements remain an inspiration for generations to come.
The 25th memorial event concluded with a shared pledge to keep Babu Chhiri Sherpa’s legacy alive as one of Nepal’s greatest mountaineers and a global symbol of endurance and courage in high-altitude climbing.
