When he is not guiding, you can usually find Tendi working for his non-profit organisation, the Tendi Sherpa Foundation, an organisation that builds schools and safe transportation in Nepal's rural areas. — Photos: LOW LAY PHON/The Star
Mountain climbing or mountaineering is no longer just a recreational activity; it has become a popular outdoor sport and a component of sports tourism.
It takes you right into the heart of nature – the sights and smells of the outdoors provide you with a chance to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the modern world.
Sure, it can be physically challenging, but aches aside, mountaineering gives you a myriad of physical and mental health benefits.
Cancer survivors gravitate towards this physical activity; every step they take up the mountain is akin to conquering their fear, beating the disease and starting life again – a transformational journey.
I had the privilege of recently meeting renowned mountain climber Pasang Tendi Sherpa, who has climbed Mount Everest 17 times.
The delightful 41-year-old Nepali was in town to share his mountain-climbing experiences in a media meet-and-greet organised by the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia, in collaboration with Universal Fitness & Leisure Sdn Bhd.
Driven neither by fame nor glory, Tendi’s love affair with the world’s tallest peaks was initially fuelled by hopes of being well-fed and properly clothed.
The poor boy from a village called Saisima in the remote Khembalung valley – an area reputed to be the inspiration behind the legend of Shangri La – started school at five in a different village, which took three days of walking through treacherous paths to reach.
“Life at school was not easy as I had to work for the family I stayed with in return for lodging and food, and I could only go to school for two hours a day.
“So, after two years, I returned to my village and told my mother I’d look after the cows and sheep.
“But my mother enrolled me in a Buddhist monastery nearby where I became an apprentice monk and stayed on until I was 12.
“One day, my dad, who was also a sherpa, got hold of some photographs and showed me some trekking pictures and I immediately fell in love with the mountains,” shares Tendi.
The word “sherpa” refers to both a Tibetan ethnic group who live in the mountainous regions of Nepal and Tibet, as well as mountain guides.
Smitten by the photographs, Tendi left the monastery at 13 and found his way to Kathmandu.
The journey took 11 days and he somehow landed a job as an equipment porter.
His first mission was to carry 43kg of a client’s luggage for eight to 15 hours daily, on a 26-day expedition in Nepal’s Annapurna region.
It was tough, but the youngster never caved in for he envisioned a better life.
Tendi says: “We all start off as porters first before we can become sherpas.
“I worked my way up until an opportunity arrived to clean Mount Everest when I was 19.
“I was super excited because it was a new experience, and together with 26 sherpas, we removed 2.5 tonnes of trash in 90 days.”
Finally, two years later in 2004, he was elevated to sherpa status – one of the youngest ever – and since then, he has been guiding hundreds of climbers up Mount Everest and other peaks, as well as mastering eight languages fluently along the way!
Lay the groundwork
Prior to heading out on any serious mountain-climbing or hiking expedition, Tendi says climbers must prepare well ahead.
He encourages climbers to enrol in mountaineering courses to learn essential skills such as rescue techniques, mountain navigation and weather awareness.
“First, train hard at home, climb smaller mountains and slowly build up to scaling 6,000m mountains to get the experience before attempting Mount Everest.
“I’ve met so many people who come to Nepal to climb Everest, but have never climbed a mountain before or don’t know how to use any climbing equipment – it’s shocking!” says the chief instructor of the Nepal Mountaineering Instructors Association, the sole organisation in his country for training professional mountaineers.
The eloquent Tendi adds: “Of course, we have to turn them away, and yes, it’s a loss of income for us, but no amount of money can buy you a trek to the summit.
“Once I rejected 27 people in a row because they didn’t fit our criteria.
“Everest is sacred to us and I still get nervous whenever I climb.
"Don’t be egoistical or overconfident as it can kill you.”
The majority of fatalities usually occur while descending as climbers miscalculate their energy reserves and are running on empty by the time they reach the top.
The weather can also be unpredictable and avalanches are common.
As Tendi says, the true summit is when you can reach the top and descend down safely to see your family again.
“Remember, climb for yourself, not others.
“When you get to any summit, don’t waste too much time on putting up banners of all your sponsors and taking pictures.
“Take the moment to soak in the surroundings,” advises Tendi, who last scaled Mount Everest in May (twice) and is hoping to climb again soon.
Sound advice
For beginners wanting to embark on mountain climbing, he offers these basic fitness tips that you can do anywhere.
Outdoors:
- Walk on flat terrain, swim or cycle at least three times a week for as long as you’re comfortable – do not push too hard.
- Try slow jogging around your house or a neighbourhood park to build your endurance.
- Hike with a light backpack filled with a water bottle, snacks and rain gear.
Start with flat terrain, then build up to a small hill, before adding a heavier backpack.
Progress to a higher hill after that.
Indoors:
- Go up and down the stairs a few times.
This can also be done outdoors.
- Perform push-ups: start with five and slowly increase to 50.
- Do standing core workouts.
- Add in some seated twists for the core (see photo gallery).
- Do light, graceful jumps.
- If possible and affordable, go to a climbing gym and try bouldering.
This is like rock climbing, but involves climbing up lower heights without the use of ropes or harnesses.
“These should be your basic regular training.
“Work only to a level of light sweating, don’t overdo when you begin.
“Hydrate properly, eat healthy and get a good night’s sleep,” says Tendi.
We come in many shapes, sizes and ability levels, and each of our unique physiologies plays a role in determining what it takes for us to adequately prepare for the climb ahead.
The mountains await your arrival ... when you’re ready.
Revathi Murugappan is a certified fitness trainer who tries to battle gravity and continues to dance to express herself artistically and nourish her soul. For more information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information contained in this column is for general educational purposes only. Neither The Star nor the author gives any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to such information. The Star and the author disclaim all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
Tendi’s preferred exercise to work the abdominal oblique muscles is the seated twist where the legs are extended forward with knees slightly bent and hands are placed behind the head. Twist from right to left, keeping the core engaged.
If you don't like the seated twist, you can try this standing version where the right hand touches the left knee, and vice versa. Bring the knees as high up as possible.
This gentle jump requires the feet to lift off the floor only slightly. No heavy landing involved.
Push-ups may seem a simple exercise, but they are an essential part of mountaineering training as they work many muscle groups.
