Darjeeling bids farewell to legendary mountaineer Kusang Sherpa

Amitava Banerjee, MP, 11 Dec 2024, Darjeeling: What could be a more befitting day than International Mountain Day for the final send-off of one of the most legendary mountaineers? 

Kusang Sherpa, 5 times Everester and the first man to climb Mount Everest from all three faces including the most difficult Khangsung face, was laid to rest at the Old Ghoom Monastery crematorium in Darjeeling on Wednesday. 

Kusang was a recipient of many coveted awards, including Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award in 2003 and Banga Bhushan in 2013. The 59-year-old had passed away at his residence in Darjeeling on Saturday. His sudden demise has shocked the mountaineering fraternity throughout the world. 

“His sudden demise has left the climbing community in a state of shock. He was an excellent climber, a great instructor and above all a good, down to earth human being. It is a big loss to the mountaineering community,” stated Jamling Tenzing Norgay, Everester and son of legendary mountaineer Tenzing Norgay, while talking to Millennium Post. 

Kusang was born on February 15, 1965 in Olangchung Gola, Nepal. It is said that he ran away from his home at the age of 14 to join an expedition. He summitted twice from the South Col (1993 and 1998 ;) twice from the North Col (1996 and 2003) and once from the difficult Khangsung face (1999.) 

He also became the first Indian to climb Mount Makalu (8463m) in Nepal which is the fifth highest mountain in the world and considered one of the most difficult. He had joined the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling as the Chief Instructor and retired in June 2016. 

“He was one of the finest instructors. The experiences he shared with the trainees were priceless and truly motivated his students. 

It is a great loss to the climbing fraternity. His death has been condoled by mountaineers from all over the world including the Indian Mountaineering Foundation “ stated Bhaskar Das, Governing Council Member, Indian Mountaineering Foundation. 

Kusang was his Instructor at the HMI. An advocate of responsible mountaineering and a critic of the rate race Kusang used to state “Nepal needs to review their Everest policy only then can precious lives be saved. The number of permits has to decrease thereby decreasing the number of expedition groups.” 

He is survived by his wife, two daughters and three sons. “May the Mountains own you, Your journey may have ended, but your legacy will forever guide us” stated the obituary of the HMI, Darjeeling. 

Courtesy & source- Millennium Post

https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/dighas-jagannath-temple-to-be-inaugurated-on-akshaya-tritiya-590351?infinitescroll=1