Kanchha Sherpa Last Surviving Member of 1953 Everest Expedition Dies at 92
Kanchha Sherpa, the last surviving member of the historic 1953 Mount Everest expedition that led Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay to the summit, has died at the age of 92. His passing in Kathmandu marks the end of a living connection to one of humanity’s greatest mountaineering triumphs.
Born in Namche Bazaar in 1933, Kanchha was only 19 when he joined the British expedition led by Sir John Hunt. Serving as a high-altitude porter, he was part of the crucial support team that carried supplies to the upper camps, enabling the final ascent. Although he did not summit Everest himself, his efforts were instrumental to the success that placed Hillary and Norgay atop the world’s highest peak.
Throughout his life, Kanchha remained deeply connected to the Sherpa community and mountaineering traditions. In his later years, he often spoke about the changing nature of Everest, voicing concerns over environmental degradation and the commercialization of climbing. Friends and family described him as humble and wise, a living witness to both the glory and challenges of Nepal’s mountaineering history.
He is survived by his wife, four sons, two daughters, and several grandchildren. Tributes have poured in from mountaineers and organizations worldwide, honoring his legacy as a man whose quiet strength helped shape one of the greatest chapters in adventure history.
