Kathmandu, Nepal — October 19, 2025 (17:24 NST):
Kanchha Sherpa, the last surviving member of the legendary 1953 Mount Everest expedition, has died at the age of 92 in Kathmandu. His passing marks the end of an era in Himalayan mountaineering history.

Born in the Solukhumbu region of Nepal, Kanchha Sherpa was just 19 years old when he joined the historic British expedition led by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, who became the first people to reach the summit of Mount Everest (8,848 meters) on May 29, 1953.

Despite having no formal mountaineering experience, Kanchha joined the team as a porter, carrying tents, food, and climbing equipment through treacherous terrain. Out of the 35-member expedition, only three Sherpas—including Kanchha—made it beyond 8,000 meters (26,247 feet), demonstrating remarkable strength and endurance.

After the success of the Everest expedition, Kanchha Sherpa continued working as a high-altitude porter for nearly two decades, guiding numerous climbers through the Himalayan peaks. His wife later urged him to retire from such risky work.

In his later years, he became a respected figure in the climbing community, often sharing stories of the early days of mountaineering before modern gear and oxygen systems. He was affectionately known among Sherpas as a “living legend of Everest.”

Fellow climbers and mountaineering associations have paid tribute, describing him as a “symbol of humility, courage, and dedication.” His contributions are considered a vital chapter in the story of Nepal’s mountaineering heritage.

“Kanchha Sherpa’s legacy will forever be etched into the history of Everest,” said a representative from the Nepal Mountaineering Association.

His passing serves as a reminder of the incredible courage of the early climbers who paved the way for modern expeditions to the Roof of the World.