It’s been said a thousand different ways over the last hundred years: The mountains call you to Nepal, but the people bring you back. It is easy to meet a Nepalese in the Himalayas who might have next to nothing, but more than willing to share what little they have.

After building fond memories around Annapurna of the Gurkhas and their hospitality, we went to the Khumbu. And the hearty Sherpas impressed even with the high bar previously established by the Gurkhas.

Sherpas live at an altitude that proves to be inhospitable to trees at the same elevation in Colorado. Winter Park, CO and Khumjung, Khumbu, Nepal are sister cities established because of the Alpine Values that living at altitude demands. But, in reality, other than the views of majestic mountains, these places are not remotely the same in terms of ease of living. Every grain of rice delivered to the Khumbu has a minimum of a four day ride on the back of a yak or mule (same for every sack of flour, tin of coffee, sheet of plywood, box of nails, or can of beer).

The Sherpas are among the most prosperous in terms of income in Nepal, but obviously, this is mitigated by the cost of living at remote altitude. 

A hard, happy, long working life is not followed by pension or social security checks in retirement. Family support is crucial for these elders, but even family resources become stressed in the land of mudslides, avalanches, earthquakes, and Maoists (and Covid, which wrecked back to back trekking and climbing seasons).

Great schools have been founded for the kids, medical clinics have been established, and programs started for programs like cleaner water, hydro-electricity, and environmental conservation (and are supported through many other worthy foundations). Help us help the Khumbu elders. We are partnered with our dear friends Tashi and Lakpa Sherpa. While also involved in almost every other philanthropic endeavor in the Everest Region, Tashi and Lakpa make sure that every dollar from KhumbuConnection reaches the hands of an elder in need.