Kancha Sherpa, last survivor of historic 1953 Everest Expedition, dies at 92
By
Tourism Times
Published at : 16 Oct 2025, 12:20 PM
KATHMANDU: Kancha Sherpa, the last surviving member of the historic 1953 expedition that first conquered Mount Everest, died today. He was 92.
According to his son, Tshering Sherpa, the legendary climber passed away at his home in Kapan, Kathmandu, at around 2:00 am. Kancha Sherpa spent much of his life in his ancestral home in Namche Bazaar.
He is survived by four children, eight grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.
In his biography, 'Tough and Cheerful' by Patricia Moon, Kancha Sherpa—who helped guide Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay to the south summit—stated that "Everest needs a rest for a few seasons." The nonagenarian was a consistent advocate for ethical climbing practices on Nepal’s mountains.
“We will always follow his legacy,” said Phur Gelje Sherpa, President of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, while mourning his death.
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