KATHMANDU: Born in 1975 in the shadow of Mount Makalu, one of the world’s highest and most formidable peaks, Pasang Sherpa grew up in a remote village of Sankhuwasabha district with dreams as vast as the mountains surrounding him. Life in the highlands was tough, but from an early age, Pasang carried a deep conviction—to serve his motherland and make his community proud.
 
“I’ve lived in the United States for more than two decades, but my soul still belongs beneath the beautiful Makalu,” Pasang says, reflecting on a journey that has taken him from mountain trails to the heart of California’s wine country.

 
Pasang’s story is one of perseverance. At just 12 years old, he began working as a porter for trekking expeditions in the Himalayas, carrying loads for foreign climbers and trekkers. “Those were hard days,” he recalls. “I struggled to earn a living, but those experiences shaped who I am today.”
 
By the age of 20, Pasang had already opened his first business — Makalu Nippon Trekking, one of the earliest trekking companies established by youth from the Makalu region. His early success in tourism reflected his entrepreneurial drive and his desire to connect Nepal’s natural beauty with the world.

 
Today, Pasang lives with his family in Sonoma, a charming city near San Francisco, California. Together with three friends — Pemba Sherpa, Gyalzen Sherpa, and Mingma Sherpa from the Khumbu Valley — he operates two well-known restaurants that have brought a taste of Nepal to the United States: La Casa in Sonoma and Yak and Yeti in Napa Valley.
 
“La Casa was founded in 2015, and we opened Yak and Yeti two years later,” Pasang shares proudly. “Both restaurants are doing well and have become part of the local food culture here.”
 
La Casa, one of Sonoma’s oldest Mexican restaurants, now employs around 30 staff, while Yak and Yeti provides jobs to more than 10 Nepali Sherpas in Napa County. Beyond employment, the restaurants have become cultural bridges, allowing locals to experience the warmth of Nepali hospitality.
 

Even the world’s tallest peaks have felt the presence of Pasang’s culinary ventures. Record-holding mountaineer Mingma Dorchi Sherpa, also from Sankhuwasabha, has carried the logos of Yak and Yeti and La Casa to the summits of some of the world’s highest mountains, including Mount Everest, K2, and Annapurna.
 
 “Both restaurants are fantastic,” Mingma Dorchi said, describing Yak and Yeti’s lively design. “It’s filled with pictures of yaks and yetis — a fun and welcoming atmosphere. They’ve even won several local awards. I feel proud for carrying their logs to the top of mountains.”
 
Success hasn’t changed Pasang’s values. Known for his generosity, he has supported numerous humanitarian efforts in Nepal. During the 2015 earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic, he extended help to families in need back home. “I always want to serve the Nepali community,” he says simply. “That’s my way of giving back.”
 

As the Nepali community grows in California’s Sonoma Valley, local residents have become increasingly curious about Nepal’s culture, traditions, and cuisine. Pasang sees this as an opportunity to represent his heritage proudly.
 
“Since I became a restaurant owner, people often ask me about where I’m from,” he explains. “The Nepalese culture is all about hospitality — treating people with kindness and respect. That’s exactly what we’re doing here in Sonoma County.”
 
From the rugged trails of Makalu to the vineyards of Napa Valley, Pasang Sherpa’s journey reflects the resilience and warmth that define his people. What began as a boy’s dream in the Himalayas has blossomed into a story of entrepreneurship, community, and cultural pride — a true Himalayan heart thriving in the heart of California.