On May 7, 2021 Kami Rita Sherpa stood at the highest point on the planet for his 25th time. As usual, it was brutally cold. The temperature in the thin air hovered at around 45 degrees below zero, centigrade. This particular Everest summit, however, was distinct from his over two dozen previous ascents – he was cozy and warm in a high-tech down suit that was made in Nepal.
Kami Rita had requested a chance to try the suit made by a new startup company called Everest Outfit. Founded by two climbers from the Everest region named Tenzeeng Sherpa and Pasang Gyalzen Sherpa, the company was targeting the growing Nepali market for technical outdoor gear.
Both Pasang Gyalzen and Tenzeeng worked as mountain guides on Everest and in other high peaks in the Himalaya, and Tenzeeng even completed the rigorous IMFGA mountain guide certification process in 2013. They both intimately understood the unique challenges faced by climbing guides on high-altitude expeditions, which regularly face some of the most extreme weather on the planet. The pair also understood that many climbing sherpas couldn’t afford to purchase name-brand equipment from international brands like The North Face.
“When I was active as a mountain guide and a trainer in the Himalayas I realized that mountain gear was too expensive,” Tenzeeng shared with The Chronicle during an interview at the Everest Outfit showroom in the tourist area of Thamel. “I started this company believing that I could provide high quality mountain gear for sherpas at affordable prices.”
The company is primarily focused on the domestic market in Nepal, targeting climbing guides. The long term hope is to then compete with name-brand companies in the local and international markets.
Everest Outfit began in 2017 and spent two full years researching and developing their clothing lines. Since the first products hit the shelves in 2019, the company has grown steadily.
“Before we rolled our products in markets we tested them in the mountains to ensure that high altitude workers and climbers would be completely safe,” said Tenzeeng.
The duo imports fabric from China, Taiwan and Bangladesh. All products are researched and designed in Nepal. “90 percent of our production is in Nepal,” said Tenzeeng, “We want to expand our franchise abroad after setting up storefronts in Lukla, Pokhara and Namche.”
Then they have India and Finland on their radar.
“We have offers to set up a market in Finland but we are not ready yet. India could be our next step,” said Tenzeeng.
Like so many industries that depend upon tourism, the COVID-19 pandemic hit the business hard. The Nepal Government cancelled all expeditions in 2020, wiping out a major part of the brand’s market. But Tenzeeng and Pasang Gyalzen’s years in the mountains helped them learn patience and perseverance. In 2021, business rebounded – netting the brand NPR 15 million this past spring alone.
“Lots of people got attached to the brand. It motivated us to see their excitement in a company run by Sherpas,” Tenzeeng continued.
Like the fabled strength of Nepal’s mountain guides, for this brand the sky’s the limit.
