06.12.07
Dateline Qomolangma
by Rajesh KC
On May 22, 2003, Kantipur newsroom was desperately waiting for our colleague Ang Chhiring Sherpa’s message from the Qomolangma. He was at the South Col preparing for his final ascension to the top of the world. But there was no communication with him for over 24 hours. Last we had heard from him was that he had suspended the first attempt due to bad weather. He might have had to withdraw his expedition if the weather continued being unfavorable. In the evening, news editor Narayan Wagle received a call on his mobile. It was from Ang Chhiring calling through his satellite phone from Qomolangma. We were reading news editor’s face anxiously. He gestured with the thumbs up¦. Hurray!! The entire room cheered. Ang Chhiring became the first South Asian journalist to climb Qomolangma or Sagarmatha (in Nepali). Qomolongma is Mt. Everest in Tibetan language.
Ang Chhiring with Kantipur flag at the top of Mt. Everest
It took 50 years for a Nepali journalist to step on top of the world first climbed by Sir Edmund Hillary and the late Tenzing Norgay in 1953.
On his fourth anniversary of scaling Mt. Everest on May 22, 2007, journalist Sherpa released his book ‘Deadline Qomolongma’ in which he has shared his feelings, experience, adventurous and pathetic moments before and after climbing the top of the world. The book, published in Nepali by Kantipur Publications, with 184 pages costs Nrs 200. It also contains several beautiful sketches, done by artist Dewendra Pandey, including some of his mountaineering photographs.
Ang Chhiring has proved that the Sherpas are not only porters and mountaineers as the world believes, but can also excel in other professions as well. Ang Chhiring himself became a journalist who successfully reported live with the ‘Qomolangma’ dateline. Being a native of Solukhumbu, he has also been able to describe culture, religion, feelings and lifestyle of internationally popular Sherpa community in his book.
By publishing Qomolangma diary, he has also filled the space of bookshelf that hitherto lacked book on mountaineering through Nepali perspective.
Ang Chhiring’s journalism career started in 1995 as executive editor in a local news magazine, Sagaramatha Times, which was launched to publicize local activities. Later he joined the largest national daily ‘Kantipur’ to cover the mountaineering beat. “All Sherpas climb mountains, but Ang Chhiring cannot, so he joined us,” he recounts his colleagues as saying. Ang Chhiring took it as a challenge. This acted as catalyst since he had been nursing a dream of summiting the Everest since childhood.
The book is also a descriptive journal of the Everest. He has been able to describe the preparedness for expedition, climbing route, camps, South Col, South Summit, scenic high Himalayas to Tibetan plateau, Hillary Step, Ice Fall, weather condition, temperatures of various altitude, etc. His diary simultaneously satisfies readers’ curiosity about the Everest climbing. ‘Being a first reader of this creation on mountaineering, I felt like I hold the record’ writes Kantipur editor Narayan Wagle in his foreword. It is indeed a finely written experience.
With Kantipur colleagues at Kathmandu airport
In chapter 21, Ang Chhiring tells his pathetic moment as he runs out of oxygen at 8500 meters soon after descending from the summit. As the weather worsened at Hillary Step, his only partner Kainla warns him that he would leave Ang Chhiring alone if he did not hurry. At the same time, he encountered icy storm with moving clouds causing poor visibility. His body lost energy and it was difficult to move even a single step. Sometimes he fell from the cliff and found himself clinging by a safety rope. “Kainla Dai, please don’t leave me here alone to die,” he pleaded to his associate several times. “You know Pasang Lhamu Sherpa died at the same place where you are standing now. She ran out of oxygen,” Ang Chhiring quotes Kainla Dai as yelling at him. Neither of them knew, at that time, that Ang Chhiring, had already run out of oxygen!
With Rimpoche of Tengboche monastery
He has experienced his journey to the Everest simultaneously as a foreign climber, a team leader, a Sherpa porter and a traveling journalist. It was his solo expedition so he felt like a foreign climber going to create a record. He was a team leader as no one was there to lead him while he was struggling to survive. He encounters situations like a porter with limited gears due to limited budget. And yet somehow, he filed the news and reports live on radio from various locations and situations everyday.
‘Deadline Qomolangma’ is a non-fiction writing that sounds a work of fiction. The book is a ‘mountaineering simulator’ for mountaineers. It is an experience to the Everest enthusiast like me who cannot climb. In all, this book is not only a treat for mountain enthusiasts but also an insider’s portrayal of life and culture in the region.
Phakding
Camp 1
Mt. Pumori seen from camp 2
Camp 2
Khumbu Ice Fall
Climbing to camp 3
Near Camp 3
With team members Sherab Jangbu (left) and Mindu Sherpa
Heading for South Col
South Col (Camp 4)
On the top of the Everest on May 22 2003 at 1200 hours
Reporting live on Kantipur FM from South Col
Descending from Camp 3
Mt. Everest viewed from the way to camp 2
Welcomed by friends in Everest BC
Interviewed by NTV
Kantipur Publications Director Binod Raj Gyawali welcoming Ang Chhiring (left) at Kantipur Complex, MD Kailash Sirohiya also seen in the background. Lukla Felicitations (right).
Ang Chhiring’s birth place Shergha in Solu
With Sir Edmund Hillary (photo: Navaraj Wagle)
With Babu Chhiri Sherpa
With Tashi Tenzing (left) and Apa Sherpa (right)
Everest view from Renjola pass
All pictures courtesy: Ang Chhiring Sherpa
He can be reached at angchhering(at)yahoo.com
Amrit magar said,
July 8, 2007 at 10:05 pm
Congratulation,congratulation, congratulation,
Tsering ji happy to heard you got on the summit,well done,
I know it is not easy to climb any mountain and i have already done some experience about it,
Well best of luck for future,
This is me Amrit from solu khumbu and presently in Dubai
nepal said,
August 5, 2007 at 5:16 pm
ohhh very adventures and historic job . angchhiring well done your are our pride and our history . so very very congretulation angchhing
uk said,
August 5, 2007 at 5:27 pm
i love mounatain and love to mountaineers . so this picture is really impresive . being a journalist he did very great job . i would like to salute you angchhiring .
nima colorado,vail, usa said,
August 12, 2007 at 5:19 am
Hello
Ang Chiring
this is wanderfull photo
I don\’t have your Email so can you write me
Email-: sherpa.nima(at)gmail.com
ganesh malaysia said,
August 16, 2007 at 7:11 pm
at frist thanks for ang chiring dai &all the member of sucess! i’m glad to see mountain&actually this picture are attractive/impressive
at last congratulation for bublication ,just waiting /eagre to read about u’r sucess thank u
tashidoma said,
August 23, 2007 at 1:11 pm
angchhiring is our hiro . ang you did very historic and geret job . bravo ang i wish u very good luck
kumar panday kathmandu said,
August 26, 2007 at 1:51 pm
It is so cool picture.angchhiring you did such a good work & nice job.wish u forever.
Pradeep Ghale said,
August 31, 2007 at 2:13 pm
great pictures ,great Nepal, new Nepal.
Pradeep Ghale
Kathmandu
Pradeep Ghale Bhalche 3 Nuwakot said,
September 1, 2007 at 8:49 am
Great pictures by the great man in great Nepal
Suman Karki Marquette USA said,
September 3, 2007 at 2:20 am
Great Job dai,
Hi I am Suman Karki orginaly from Tikathali ‘9’ Lalitput Nepal. Rajesh dai, I saw all the photoes and information in your site. They are really fabulous. Thank you so much for the information you provided with the beautful photoes.
I bet you that your work will help alot of people to understand Nepal and Nepali.
Thank you.
Devshan,New york said,
September 3, 2007 at 2:57 am
Nice Foto’s. Thank u.
Rebati Dhakal said,
September 13, 2007 at 12:32 am
Rajesh Bro, thanks for your great pictures.you are the sachha Nepali man, keep it up bro.
Rebati Dhakal
Ad -Diwaniyah G6 Iraq American Camp.
anup desar chapagaoun said,
September 17, 2007 at 4:08 pm
u r so nice
Alex Bhotiya ,Taiwan said,
September 19, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Hey Ang ! Good job for breath taking photographs ,keep it up ! Cheers!
Raj khusna lama, malaysia,johor,september20,2007 said,
September 20, 2007 at 5:47 pm
Hey ang dai’ lasho fyafulla, CONGRATULATION……………………………
Bhoj Hong Kong said,
September 27, 2007 at 3:25 am
i love this pic very nice but instead of dateline should be dead zone ore dead line hahaaha
thx a lot Bhoj we love you
sarmila and nilam / netherland said,
September 27, 2007 at 8:00 pm
congretulation angchhiring . we felt very proud of you . one day i will definetly meet you . i wish you good luck . good blessed you .
pem dorchi sherpa ( malaysia)9 said,
October 3, 2007 at 8:44 pm
congratulation………….brother have a naice you day …
Urgen/kathmandu said,
October 7, 2007 at 9:24 am
Hey Ang tshering bro, you have done a great job. May god give you successinevery step of your life.
Gowa Tundup Lama USA said,
October 29, 2007 at 6:34 am
Ang Chhiring -La,
Your historical & brave journey to top of the world was truly wonderful. All human being from this planet should be proud of you. The photographs are so beautiful. We hope to get chance to read your newly published book,”Dateline Qomolangma” which informed us of your skill & ability in writing.
May Buddha & Bodhisattvas bless you and favor to your success.
TASHI DELEK!!!
Lama USA said,
October 29, 2007 at 6:41 am
Achhu Ang Chhiring ,
Your historical & brave journey to top of the world was truly wonderful we are proud of you.
My wife Jule met you in kathmandu. You were kind enough to offer to organize a trip for her to Langtang, thanks for that too.
May Buddha & Bodhisattvas bliss you and favor to your success.
TASHI DELEK!!!
sanjeev,dubai said,
November 25, 2007 at 2:55 am
BRAVO, proud to be a nepali
Ang Dawa Sherpa said,
December 2, 2007 at 8:39 pm
Tashi dele ang chhing, first of all as a sherpa you show your bravery and your carrier reached on the top of the world, you made all sherpa proud and as well as all nepalese, kantipur publication and all the journalists. ok achu chhiring keep it up, bravo
parash mani kafle Doha Qatar said,
December 4, 2007 at 10:36 pm
Nepal is himalyan country’s quine there for it’s of secure kindly shoud be affication by love.
Shaurya and Shasin,Vancouver,Canada said,
December 5, 2007 at 7:13 am
hey!hey!hey!ma pani nepali ho.awesome climbing!nice pictures,nepal is a awsome country right.hope you climb some other mountains in nepal!enjoy life!
namaskar,shaurya grade 4 and shasin grade 8
bye
London said,
December 6, 2007 at 12:18 am
It’s a great job really.
Pictures are amazingly beautiful i got really
touched by the natural pride of my country which made me feeling
even more proud of myself being a Nepali.
Team deserves a real appreciation.
Anur R Shrestha, Lalitpur said,
December 7, 2007 at 4:30 pm
though late Congratulations Ang Chhiring Sherpa on your victory for climbing MT. Everest.
i have read the book “Deadline Qomolangma”.
felt nice to know about the hard works of those ice doctors and bhariyas.
Hats off to our Nepali brothers.
Ganesh London said,
December 17, 2007 at 6:28 pm
Well done.
qatar.doha meghanath said,
December 18, 2007 at 2:00 pm
sahasi karyako lagi danyabad
pemba / newyork said,
January 20, 2008 at 2:02 am
very great gob . we never ever forget angchhiring . ur proud of sherpa , ur proud of indijinious community and ur proud u nepal and nepali . we salute u . derai derai badhai cha ani babisyaeko laghi har safaltako laghi derai subakamana cha . god bless u .
KSA Jeddah said,
January 28, 2008 at 7:28 pm
I would like to say very very thanks to Rajesh kc. Who has been done the very very fantestic job. The phalano web site has been same as my life partner. If i have a time i visit this site. The site is really so naturable and i am feeling that i am in Nepal.
keep it up
suraj adhikari (Qatar) said,
March 1, 2008 at 2:41 pm
I am really glad . I found or i see beauty picture so i would like to say phalano .com member to very very thanks . I see here wonderful views
lauta bida fare yarko comment lehara yaunachhu
Mahendra B. Adhikari/ TX USA said,
March 11, 2008 at 6:52 am
Beautiful pictures!!! I go this page over and over. I enjoy seeing these pictures.
Thanks lot Phalano.com team for this hilarious job. Tanksssssssss…….
DBGurung said,
March 22, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Dear All,
Well the natural beauty Nepal is really piece of RAW DIAMOND ! But its owner lands responsible chairs and its STINGY CARELESS GOVENRMENT and their dirty management in the land…..What they do while they charged for climbing permit pretty expensive US$ dollars and TREKKING FEES ?
If you go to see its history its quite long……Then when see in the documentry by Nepalese movie maker and as well foreugner…… Its hills route not build yet even single stone…..also bridges are how is its capacity guarantee ? its look no maintance and no notice information for dangerous ! Its gone use until collapse down , because its build up by foreign aids or from rich donars…..Is that not a responsible of Nepal Government ? Which collecting charges for Mountain Climbing Permit and Trekking Permit Fees….????? The country where suriving by Tourism Industry…….Why dont respect its GUESTS WELL and build the comfortable foot-path to Mountain with fully information map reading guiding skech map tourist who comes individually them self…..? Because everyone dosent have same desire and hobby and rich and poor as well……
When Nepal Government Brain come to use or in real ? Its 21 century where every single minute going to chang the World and its Nonatechnology in missile speed……Must separate the budget for Mountain Hill route-path buiding…..if they have a little brain , instead of charging fees since long time ago…..
Thats all,
Manoj/shanghai said,
March 23, 2008 at 4:44 pm
nice picture, tara k garne chinese haru Mt. everest uni haru ko banera padchhan in their school text book, as per my chinese friend said
DIPENDRA DEV GAUTAM said,
March 30, 2008 at 9:34 pm
My district is sagaramath solukhumboo. i like Himalay.
Gopal Krishna Siwakoti, Kathmandu, Nepal said,
April 22, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Hi. Congratulation to you for your great success. I am very happy to see your pictures with your height as the height of Mt. Everest.
Your friend
Gopal Krishna Siwakoti
977-9841347448
Hari Dhading,Qatar said,
June 15, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Really,Fantistic
hari qatar
9744964688
BISHAL KUIKEL, SINGAPORE said,
June 18, 2008 at 8:58 pm
kantipur television sucks
jeeban Gurung milan, Italy said,
June 25, 2008 at 7:29 pm
very nice.