Lakpa Rita Sherpa

Guide: International, Washington, Alaska

Lakpa’s climbing and guiding achievements are significant, with 15 summits of Mt. Everest on over 23 expeditions (a record 253 climbers on the summit under his leadership) seven guided summits of Cho-Oyu and numerous other peaks in Nepal. He also been our high camp manager and guide on Aconcagua and Denali and has guided numerous peaks in the Cascades including Mount Baker and Rainier. Currently, Lakpa and his family reside in Seattle. He is a guide, leader and friend of the highest quality. Lakpa summited Mount Vinson 13 times. He also is known as “The Best Sirdar in the Khumbu”, and has been working with us for the past twenty years. His legendary strength is veiled by his charm and humility. As Sirdar (Sherpa captain) he directs and organizes our team of Sherpa for every Himalayan expedition. Possessing unparalleled expertise in the mountains, Lakpa is one of the only Sherpa working as a full-time Mountain Guide around the world. In February 2009, Lakpa became the first Sherpa, and first Nepali to climb the Seven Summits. Here he is on the summit of Kilimanjaro. Recently Lakpa guided our successful 2011 & 2014 Cho-Oyu Team and 2013 Everest Teams. Lakpa was named one of Outside Magazine’s “Adventurers of The Year” for 2013.
[Article about Lakpa]

20-year

Guide For:

Island Peak and Lobuche, Nepal
Mount Vinson

Significant Ascents

Everest 15 summits over 23 expeditions
Cho-Oyu 12 summits
Shishapangma 1 summit
Pumori 1 summit
Elbrus 1 summit
Baruntse 2 summit
Aconcagua 26 summits
Vinson 13 summits
Kilimanjaro 1 summit
Denali 2 summits
Guide on K2 and Broad Peak, Annapurna South Face, Manaslu, Dhaulagri and Maklu.
Rainier 93+ summits.
First Sherpa to climb the seven summits.

Certifications

Wilderness First Responder/CPR
Avalanche Level II
Leave No Trace Trainer

Strong program, strong guides. Vern is very charismatic and generally fun to have on an expedition. Vern did things in particular that set himself apart. Lakpa is extremely talented, he very much enabled many things through his boundless energy, work ethic, calmness, and mountain wisdom. And he grills one hell of a ‘pan de pasqua’ […]

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Alpine Ascents International is an authorized mountain guide service of Denali National Park and Preserve and Mount Rainier National Park.
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Lakpa Rita Sherpa