Phursumba Sherpa

[Ovr40]

Does anyone have contact information, or other recent information, about Phursumba Sherpa. He is a wonderful man I have lost contact with him. Is he well? Is he still doing the RMI gig?

[Couloir]

This guy?

[scottgg]

Yeah, I think he's still doing well. Your right, he is a great guy, very humble and still amazingly strong.

I remember once I was taking an out of shape client down the Nisqually glacier, and Phursumba Sherpa was going to meet us at the trail and escort the climber down so I could get back to the rest of the group. We started down alittle early, figuring we would have to wait for Phursumba at the rendevous. But nope, he was already there, with a big pack and an even bigger smile.

[Ovr40]

Thanks

[Mary C.]

I climbed Mt. Rainier in September 1969 with Phursumba as one of our guides.  He was newly arrived at Rainier Mountaineering, as I recall.  I worked at the front desk of Paradise Inn and lived in a dorm nearby so I was used to the altitude.  I was in college, and other employees and I used to go up to Camp Muir every now and then.  Phursumba was a bit of a hit with the girls who worked at Paradise, he was tall, handsome, kind and sweet.  He made many summit ascents leading climbers.  The day we employees climbed I don't remember any other climbing parties.  It seemed we had the mountain to ourselves.  We slept at Camp Muir and rose at 2:30 a.m. because we needed to be on the summit by 12 noon.  This was to avoid avalanche danger from the warmth of the afternoon sun.  Phursumba went up the mountain with ease.  For me, it was the most strenuous thing I've ever done, but so worth it.  Thanks to Phursumba and the other wonderful guides.