Ang Rita Sherpa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ang Rita Sherpa
आङरिता शेर्पा
Born	20 September 1948 (1948-09-20) Solukhumbu, Nepal
Died	21 September 2020 (aged 72) Kathmandu, Nepal
Nationality	Nepali
Other names	Snow Leopard
Occupation	Mountaineer
Years active	1968–1996
Known for	Most successful ascents of Mount Everest without bottled oxygen
Honours	Order of Gorkha Dakshina Bahu Order of Tri Shakti Patta

Ang Rita Sherpa (Nepali: आङरिता शेर्पा; born September 20, 1948 – died September 21, 2020) was a famous Nepali mountaineer. He was known for climbing Mount Everest ten times without using extra oxygen. He achieved this amazing feat between 1983 and 1996.

He set a world record for the most climbs of Mount Everest. He also holds the record for the most climbs without extra oxygen. Ang Rita was the first person to climb Everest in winter without oxygen. His friends called him the "Snow Leopard" because of his incredible skills.

Early Life and First Steps

Ang Rita Sherpa was born in 1948 in Thame, a village in Solukhumbu, Nepal. His family raised yaks, which are strong, hairy animals. He spent his childhood looking after these yaks. He also worked as a porter, carrying goods on long trips. These trips went across the Himalayas to Tibet.

He started mountaineering as a porter when he was just 15. He did not go to school or get special climbing training. He learned everything from experience.

Amazing Climbing Career

Ang Rita's first successful climb was Mount Cho Oyu when he was 20. He then climbed many other huge mountains. These included Mount Everest, K2, Lhotse, Manaslu, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri. He often climbed them multiple times without extra oxygen. He is believed to have climbed mountains taller than 8,000 meters (called eight-thousanders) 18 times. Almost all of these climbs were without oxygen.

He first reached the top of Mount Everest in 1983. Over the next 13 years, he climbed Everest nine more times. He never used bottled oxygen on these climbs. Eight of his ten climbs used the Southeast ridge route. His last climb was in 1996, shortly after a big disaster on Everest. Many of his friends were lost, and he was very sad.

After this, he became ill. The King of Nepal, King Birendra, even asked him to stop climbing. Ang Rita decided to retire from mountaineering after this.

Records and Skills

Ang Rita Sherpa was the first person to climb Everest in winter without oxygen. He did this in 1987. He was also the first person to climb Everest 10 times. In 2017, the Guinness World Records recognized him. They confirmed he was the only person to climb Everest ten times without bottled oxygen. This record still stands today.

Other climbers thought he was the strongest and most skilled Sherpa guide. He once carried heavy equipment up a mountain without shoes or climbing gear. In 1985, he guided a Norwegian team leader to the top of Everest during a snowstorm. In 1987, he helped a South Korean team. He and another climber got separated one night. They exercised all night to stay warm and alive. In 1990, he helped the Nepali Army on their Everest trip. Only a few people from that large team reached the top with him.

Later Life and Passing

Ang Rita Sherpa stopped climbing in 1996 because he became ill. He had a liver problem that lasted for the rest of his life. He also had a stroke around 2015–2016.

He passed away suddenly on September 21, 2020, at age 72. He was at his daughter's home in Kathmandu. The Prime Minister of Nepal, KP Sharma Oli, shared his sadness. He said Ang Rita's achievements would always be remembered.

His funeral was held with national honors. It followed Buddhist customs at a holy river meeting point in Kathmandu. A government minister draped his body with the national flag. The Nepal Armed Police Force gave a gun salute to honor him.

Family Life

Ang Rita Sherpa had three sons and one daughter. His oldest son, Karsang, was also a mountaineer. He had climbed Everest nine times. Sadly, Karsang died during an expedition in 2012. His second son, Chhewang, has climbed Everest five times. Ang Rita's wife passed away a year after their eldest son. Ang Rita spent his last years living with his daughter in Kathmandu.

Awards and Honors

Ang Rita Sherpa received special awards from Nepal. These included the Order of Gorkha Dakshina Bahu and the Order of Tri Shakti Patta.

Mount Everest Climbs Without Oxygen

See Also

In Spanish: Ang Rita para niños

• List of 20th-century summiters of Mount Everest
• List of Mount Everest summiters by number of times to the summit