Sherpa: The Proving Grounds

Phursumba Sherpa (February 14, 1944 – October 20, 2025) was an Indian mountaineer, instructor, Arctic explorer, and Alpine Guide. His career included work in the Himalayas, the Arctic Circle, and the Pacific Northwest of the United States. He was one of the early instructors at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) in Darjeeling and later became one of the first Sherpa climbing guides in North America with RMI Expeditions, also known as Rainier Mountaineering, Inc (RMI). His work bridged Himalayan climbing traditions with Western alpine climbing and outdoor education.