Apa Sherpa to Climb Everest for Record 20th Time

Apa Sherpa has climbed Mount Everest more times than anyone else--a record 19 times. Now the 50-year-old man, living in Draper, Utah for the past seven years, is heading back to the world's highest mountain for a historic 20^th ascent as climbing leader of the Eco Everest Expedition. He first climbed Mount Everest on May 10, 1990 with a New Zealand expedition.

This time, however, Apa has been training for his attempt for the first time. He believes that easy American living has made him softer than when he lived in his native village of Thame in Nepal where there are no roads and no cars. Apa told the Salt Lake Tribune, "I have become spoiled in America. Too much work, too much pizza and too much driving." In typical American style he drives everywhere instead of walking. Apa admits living only a few hundred yards from a grocery store yet, "I am still driving there. It is sad."

Apa is doing the climb, as he did last year, to raise awareness about climate change in the Himalayas and its impact on local people and to promote education for Nepalese children. He told the Salt Lake Tribune, "I have no reason to go for the record, but because I have done it many times, it gives me a chance to talk to a lot of people about important things. That is why I still go."

Good luck on your ascent Apa. Our thoughts are with you on the top of the world.

Photograph above: Apa Sherpa on the summit of Mount Everest for the 19th time in 2009. Photograph courtesy Apa Sherpa

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