Asian Trekking

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 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.

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.

Asian Trekking has organized multiple years of Eco Everest Expeditions, and often provides logistics for many expeditions. Asian Trekking supported the 2001 International Everest Expedition. 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 US$7,490, believed to be the whole financial cost with Asian Trekking. Comparatively, fully guided expeditions are between thirty to one hundred thousand US$ plus an additional twenty thousand in other expenses that range from gear to bonuses.

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Wikipedia