Heading up our porters and staff are two key individuals:
Pemba Gyalje Sherpa, Six-Time Everest Summitter
Six-time Everest summitter Pemba Gyalje Sherpa is an expert international climber. He was named National Geographic Adventure Magazine’s 2008 Adventurer of the Year for a courageous rescue during the summer disaster on K2 in Pakistan that year. In addition to co-guiding the first half of the trek, Pemba will guide climbing clients on extensions to the Khumbu Icefall, Everest Camp 2, and/or nearby trekking peaks like Island Peak. Accomplished yet down-to-earth, Pemba is heavily involved in the professionalization of Nepal’s climbing industry and is helping to train Nepal’s first batch of IFMGA-certified mountain guides.
Dawa Nuru Sherpa, Our Head Sirdar
Dawa Nuru Sherpa has 10 years experience in the trekking industry. He has been Mountain Madness’ sirdar for the last six, which means that he oversees anywhere from 15 to 80 support staff including client escorts, porters, yak drivers, and the camp kitchen. Dawa quietly watches EVERYTHING, patiently hikes with struggling trekkers, and and easily breaks into a grin as we laugh and joke on the trail.