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Asian Trekking is a commercial adventure company based in Nepal started by Sherpa Ang Tshering. Ang Tshering (b. 1953) was one of the first graduates of Sir Edmund Hillary’s school and then went on to found Asian Trekking in 1982. Asian Trekking is based out of Kathmandu, Nepal. In 2001, it was recorded that Asian Trekking ran 25 large mountain expeditions per year. In particular, they are known for supporting treks to Mount Everest. Asian Trekking made international news across the Globe, when in 2006 four of its clients and two of its Sherpas died in a single season. One of the clients, David Sharp, died near the summit and this event became the center of an international climbing ethics controversy. Ang said that climbers can die if they use all their energy getting to the summit of Mount Everest, only to be too fatigued for the descent.
Contents
Overview
Asian Trekking is known in mountaineering for providing "logistics only" Everest expeditions, which, although cheap, do not offer a lot of extras higher up the mountain. Logistics only, compared to guided or even non-guided climbs, is typically cheaper and gives climbers more freedom, but along with that are fewer safe-guards. Asian Trekking sells unguided Everest expeditions for both the north and south side, but they are oriented towards supplying basic supplies and expedition organization such as hiring a local sherpa.
History
Asian Trekking has organized multiple years of Eco Everest Mt Everest expedition, and often provides logistics for many expeditions. AT supported the International Everest Expedition 2001. In 2009 Asian Trekking organized for several expeditions including the just mentioned Eco Everest Expedition 2009, Atumas Taiwanese 7 Summit and Everest Expedition 2009, International Adventure Alternative Everest Expedition 2009, 7 Summit Club Everest Expedition 2009, Kazak Lhotse-Everest Expedition 2009, and Indo Bangladesh Mt. Makalu Expedition. Sadly they lost one person, Lhakpa Nuru who died was supporting the Eco Everest Expedition.
One tragic year was in 2006 when multiple clients died including David Sharp, Vitor Negrete, Thomas Weber, and Igor Plyushkin. In addition, two Asian Trekking Sherpas were killed on April 21, 2006 in a serac fall on the south side: Lhakpa Tseri and Dawa Temba.
At the time of his death, David Sharp was found to be in possession of a receipt for $7,490USD, believed to be the whole financial cost with Asian Trekking. Comparatively, fully guided expeditions are between 30 to one hundred thousand USD plus an additional twenty thousand in other expenses that range from gear to bonuses.
The Washington Times notes that Asian Trekking said Mr. Sharp did not take enough oxygen, and did not take a sherpa helper, and was part of "loose group", not a climbing team all of which put him at higher risk. Asian Trekking services are cheap because they essentially end at base camp (unless they hire a guide). However, Brazilian Vitor Negrete, also climbing with Asian Trekking and possibly teaming with David, died days later despite having a Sherpa helper. In Vitor's case he developed medical problems returning from the summit and died in the arms of his Sherpa assistant.
AT has supported expeditions on the North and South sides of Mount Everest, and also to Lhotse. Asian Trekking has supported International Dream Everest and Eco Everest Expedition trips to Mount Everest. Lhakpa Nuru Sherpa was from Phurte, Nepal and is recorded to have died on May 7, 2009 on the south side of Everest.
In the aftermath of 2015 Mount Everest avalanche, Asian Trekking and Himex were reported to help injured people at their camps.
Examples of lost clients, employees, etc. connected with AT
Summiters/Expeditions
Jakob Urth attempted summit Lhotse supported by Asian Trekking. AT has also supported expeditions to Manaslu.