Chhiring on Climbing, Community and Career
06/18/2024 12:53PM ● By Amelia Davis
(Photo: Chhiring Dorje Sherpa sits atop the summit of Mt. Everest after a successful expedition. His Big Agnes flag was made of recycled tent fabric especially for his summit attempt. Photo courtesy of Big Agnes / Chhiring Dorje Sherpa.)
Steamboat Springs, CO - Chhiring Dorje Sherpa is one of most acclaimed guides in mountaineering history. In 2013, he received the Explorer’s Club’s Tenzing Norgay Award for his heroic actions during the 2008 K2 disaster. In 2014, he earned the title of Sherpa Sardar, which is given to fewer than 25 mountaineers. He was born in Nepal but lived in Steamboat Springs for several years, from 2013 to 2019. Now residing in Longmont, Colorado, he is the founder of Rolwaling Excursions, a mountain guiding company, and the Chhiring Foundation, which provided humanitarian aid in the aftermath of the 2015 Nepal earthquake. To recognize his 17th ascent of Mount Everest, a title which only 11 other climbers can claim, he shared a few thoughts with Steamboat Magazine about his career, climbing and the connections he made along the way.
Steamboat Springs, CO - Chhiring Dorje Sherpa is one of most acclaimed guides in mountaineering history. In 2013, he received the Explorer’s Club’s Tenzing Norgay Award for his heroic actions during the 2008 K2 disaster. In 2014, he earned the title of Sherpa Sardar, which is given to fewer than 25 mountaineers. He was born in Nepal but lived in Steamboat Springs for several years, from 2013 to 2019. Now residing in Longmont, Colorado, he is the founder of Rolwaling Excursions, a mountain guiding company, and the Chhiring Foundation, which provided humanitarian aid in the aftermath of the 2015 Nepal earthquake. To recognize his 17th ascent of Mount Everest, a title which only 11 other climbers can claim, he shared a few thoughts with Steamboat Magazine about his career, climbing and the connections he made along the way.
On his current career
I do shipping and packing climbing gear for the brand La Sportiva when I’m not guiding. For guiding, I do it two times a year, fall and spring. In October I give training for 6,000 meters and guiding, and in spring I do guiding on Everest.
On changes to the climbing community
Since 1991, there has been a lot of change – in the early 90s there were very small tents; it was the nature of climbing. Now, you have a big tent. I think, ‘what is going on in the climbing community?’ Sometimes it is very surprising, I think, ‘This is not a mountain, this is like a restaurant bar.’
There has also been a lot of technological change – like the weather reporting, the radio, a lot of the technical gear and clothes, it has been very changed and very exciting, but at the same time it is not so exciting, because in ‘1991 or 1992, it was natural climbing – and now it is more about big tents and bars. Not boring, but not so good.
On climbing connections
I meet a lot of friends climbing – climbing mountains is very good for connection. When I left my town, I had no idea. NowI have a lot of friends in Colorado, in Europe, everywhere; I have a lot of friends. Good friends, like family. If I didn’t climb, I wouldn’t have met Dr. Meyer, and he brought me here [to Colorado]. I have a lot of connections everywhere, good friends.
On the best part of climbing
If I go to the mountain, I am very happy because climbing is more physical, and good for the mind. Sometimes I go see the mountain and the people now are a melting pot, and the snow and the ice is changing every year; it is interesting. In 2018, the mountain was rock all year. This time, it is the newest snow, and the climbing is easy. Every year, the mountain changes – it is very exciting.
I do shipping and packing climbing gear for the brand La Sportiva when I’m not guiding. For guiding, I do it two times a year, fall and spring. In October I give training for 6,000 meters and guiding, and in spring I do guiding on Everest.
On changes to the climbing community
Since 1991, there has been a lot of change – in the early 90s there were very small tents; it was the nature of climbing. Now, you have a big tent. I think, ‘what is going on in the climbing community?’ Sometimes it is very surprising, I think, ‘This is not a mountain, this is like a restaurant bar.’
There has also been a lot of technological change – like the weather reporting, the radio, a lot of the technical gear and clothes, it has been very changed and very exciting, but at the same time it is not so exciting, because in ‘1991 or 1992, it was natural climbing – and now it is more about big tents and bars. Not boring, but not so good.
On climbing connections
I meet a lot of friends climbing – climbing mountains is very good for connection. When I left my town, I had no idea. NowI have a lot of friends in Colorado, in Europe, everywhere; I have a lot of friends. Good friends, like family. If I didn’t climb, I wouldn’t have met Dr. Meyer, and he brought me here [to Colorado]. I have a lot of connections everywhere, good friends.
On the best part of climbing
If I go to the mountain, I am very happy because climbing is more physical, and good for the mind. Sometimes I go see the mountain and the people now are a melting pot, and the snow and the ice is changing every year; it is interesting. In 2018, the mountain was rock all year. This time, it is the newest snow, and the climbing is easy. Every year, the mountain changes – it is very exciting.