While serving international adventure tourists in what often appears to be a support role, the Sherpa guides of Nepal are unparalleled models of true leadership. Perhaps the most exceptional and renowned among them is Apa Sherpa, who holds 13 world records for summiting Mount Everest 21 times, four of those without supplemental oxygen.
In his captivating keynote address, Apa shares a perspective on leadership gained from his 25 years of leading expeditions and his 21 ascents of the world’s highest peak. Using images and anecdotes from his many climbs, Apa is able to breathe new life into the concepts surrounding leadership – on being mission-focused, on risk-taking and decision-making, on logistics and teamwork, on sacrifice and setbacks, and, of course, on victory.
With his delightful manner and his gripping stories, Apa Sherpa wows his audiences as he leaves them with new insights and food for thought on the topic of leadership.
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Apa Sherpa is one of only two men in history to reach the top of the world 21 times. As the world record holder of the most summits of Everest, Apa is widely recognized to be one of the greatest living mountaineers.
Ironically, summiting Everest was never a goal for Apa. At 12 years of age, he first began working as an expedition porter to earn money following the untimely death of his father. Leaders and trekkers alike immediately noticed the child who, despite his exceedingly small stature, carried loads greater than his own weight with strength, quickness and a wide smile.
Coming from Thame, the hometown of Everest legend Tenzing Norgay, it was almost inevitable that Apa would become a high altitude sherpa on Everest. He began carrying loads on Everest in 1988, but it wasn’t until May 10, 1990, that he reached the summit for the first time along with Rob Hall, Gary Ball, and Peter Hillary.
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“I very much appreciated Lhakpa and Apa’s experiences and their willingness to share them with us. They were very gracious, humble, and inspirational. I look forward to learning more about them through the documentary and the other projects they are working on.”
“The Sherpas are awesome! They are a great example of working hard, staying humble, and doing whatever it takes to get the job done. It was a delight to meet them and hear their story!”
“The one thing that I will never forget about the time they spent with us, is no matter how hard I might think that life is, there is always a way to climb over the hard times and back to the good times.”
“The highlight of the training was the surprise visit from the Sherpas. They were extremely inspiring and motivating. Everyone should hear their story. Thanks for bringing them to us.”
“It was an honor to have Apa Sherpa come to speak to our school. At Entheos Expeditionary Learning, we base our school around a set of core values. Some of those values include; integrity, respect, leadership, adventure, and service.”
