Hillary - Tenzing Everest expedition team member passes away

Kancha Sherpa, the last living member of the 1953 British Mount Everest Expedition that made the first successful ascent of the world's highest peak, passed away early thursday morning at his residence in Kapan, Kathmandu.

He was 92 years. Kancha Sherpa exhaled his last at around 2:00 am. Born in 1932 in Namche, Ang Phurba 'Kancha' Sherpa inaugurated his mountaineering journey at the age of 19, when he ran away from home to Darjeeling in search of work. There, he met Tenzing Norgay, who recognized him as the son of a fellow mountaineer from the 1952 Everest expedition from Tibet. Impressed by his dedication, Tenzing helped him join Sir Edmund Hillary's 1953 expedition as one of 103 Sherpas, earning five rupees a day.

He is lived by his wife Ang Lhakpa Sherpa, four sons, two daughters, eight grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.

Asian Hiking Team extend our deepest and most sincere condolences on the passing of Kanchha Sherpa, the last surviving member of the pioneering 1953 Everest expedition. His departure marks the end of a living chapter in the history of mountaineering and in Nepal’s proud legacy, and his memory will forever stand as a beacon for courage, humility, and devotion to the mountains.

To his family, we offer heartfelt sympathy. May you find comfort in memories, in the respect of a grateful nation, and in the knowledge that your beloved holds a place of enduring honor in history.