Born of destiny,
bound by these peaks.
How a meeting between a young Sherpa porter and a British explorer reshaped the villages of Solu Khumbu and created a legacy of local ownership, safety, and community investment.
A Porter with a Degree in Law.
When **Ang Chhongba Sherpa** was still a young boy, he used to walk for days from his remote village of Bumburi in the Solu Khumbu region just to attend school in Khumjung. Determined to build a different future, he pursued higher studies, eventually earning a **Bachelor's degree in Law** in Kathmandu, supported by the immense hard work of his wife, **Chakpa Yangji Sherpa**.
Sadly, the legal market in Nepal offered few opportunities. Faced with the necessity of sustaining his family, Chhongba had to make a difficult choice. He returned to the mountains—not as a lawyer, but joining the hard life of **porters** carrying tourist bags. In the eyes of Nepalese society, it was a massive disappointment for someone with his advanced level of education.
But destiny had other plans. During those grueling early years on the trail, his path crossed with **Gavin Bate**, a British traveler and climber. It was a lucky day for both.
"Chhongba was more than a porter. His English was good, he was cultivated, and very intelligent. Gavin understood he could easily be a 'Sirdar'—a guide and a true leader."
A village reshaped by hope.
Invited to Chhongba’s hometown of **Bumburi**, Gavin was welcomed as a member of the family. Together, spending nights by the open fire, they realized they shared the exact same vision: that **tourism should actively benefit the community**, rather than exploiting it.
Chhongba initiated a village committee, and Gavin set out to raise the funds they methodically planned. To do so, Gavin embarked on several sponsored, extreme expeditions—including **climbing Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen**—directing every single pound of sponsorship to their newly created charity, **Moving Mountains Nepal**, with Chhongba as chairman.
Over decades of dedicated work, the funds reshaped the region's everyday comfort: building primary and secondary schools, establishing medical clinics, implementing clean water pipelines, installing smokeless cooking stoves, and even building hydro-electric power plants.
Life-saving bond at 8,500m.
In 2007, during another of Gavin's high-altitude attempts on Mount Everest, Chhongba and his family grew worried. They insisted that Chhongba's brother-in-law, **Pasang Tendi Sherpa**, go along as climbing companion and backup. It was a premonition that saved a life.
Past the Second Step at **8,500 meters**, climbing without bottled oxygen, Gavin was suddenly struck by a **severe high-altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE)**. As he collapsed near the death zone, Pasang did not hesitate. He placed his own oxygen mask onto Gavin's face, loaded emergency oxygen bottles and Gavin on his back, and began a heroic, almost impossible descent down the treacherous North Face.
Pasang's legendary strength and calm under extreme pressure brought Gavin back to safety. When they returned to Bumburi, Chhongba's mother embraced them with tears, saying: "My two sons came home."
To honor this profound bonding moment and Pasang's exceptional skill as a mountaineer and guide, Gavin co-founded **Adventure Alternative Nepal** with Pasang Tendi Sherpa as the Director.
Pasang Tendi Sherpa
Director of Adventure Alternative Nepal
Five-time Everest summitter on both the North East and South East ridges. Certified rescue expert, senior climber, and treasurer of Moving Mountains Nepal.
Ang Chhongba Sherpa
Chairman of Moving Mountains Nepal
Educated lawyer who co-founded the community projects and oversees the sustainable village programs in Solu Khumbu region.
Meet the people who
make it happen.
Learn about our directorship, certified high-altitude climbing Sherpas, and exemplary female trekking guides.