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Tenzing Norgay and the Sherpas of Everest

2003; Elsevier BV; Volume: 14; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1580/1080-6032(2003)14[208

1545-1534

Luanne Freer,

Transboundary Water Resource Management

Tashi Tenzing authored this book in honor of his Sherpa people, on whose backs so many western climbers have climbed the Himalayas and achieved fame and fortune. Tenzing is the grandson of Tenzing Norgay, who, with Sir Edmund Hillary, was the first Sherpa to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Although many climbers know the Tenzing name, and some thank their Sherpa colleagues for their help on risky expeditions, very few know the history of the Sherpa people and of their supreme sacrifices for the relatively new career of high-altitude mountaineering. Far fewer climbers consider the impact that the industry has had on the Sherpa culture, from the positive effects (increases in salary, better education, and better health care) to the negative effects (westernization of their villages and the environmental degradation of their homeland). Initially, one might wonder if Tenzing has anything to share that is new on the subject. He recounts his grandfather's historic climb and his own climb to Everest's summit, but these stories can be found in several previous publications, not the least of which is his uncle Jamling Norgay's Touching My Father's Soul. However, because of his family connections and famous name, Tenzing had access to records, photographs, and personal accounts of the Sherpa pioneers of Everest. He is therefore able to recount the history of the Sherpa people in mountaineering like no other writer has done before. Forewords written by Sir Edmund Hillary and the Dalai Lama eloquently introduce the text, but the book could have stood on its own. Tenzing's work is a gift to his people (who are not known for keeping written records of their heritage) and their past, and the photographs are a precious collection for all to enjoy. Tenzing Norgay and the Sherpas of Everest is a fascinating history lesson for anyone interested in Nepali cultures and mountaineering, and it is a must-read for any mountaineer who climbs in the Khumbu region.