Fundraiser for late Australian climber Chinny Chan tops $8,000 in days
Donations in memory of Chin-Tark “Chinny” Chan will support Sherpa rescuers amid questions over the response to his fatal illness on the mountain.
PC: Abiral Rai
A fundraiser launched in memory of Australian climber Chin-Tark “Chinny” Chan, who died on Himlung Himal last week, has raised more than $8,111 within two days of its launch — over halfway to its $12,000 target — reflecting an outpouring of support from friends, family, and the global climbing community.
Chan, 49, fell ill at around 6,700 meters while descending from the 7,126-meter Himalayan peak on October 27. Despite efforts by Sherpa rescuers to bring him down amid heavy snowfall, he died two days later, on October 29, at approximately 6,500 meters, according to 8K Expeditions, the Kathmandu-based company organizing the expedition.
Following his death, Chan’s family and friends created a GoFundMe campaign to honor his memory by supporting the Sherpa community, described as the backbone of Nepal’s mountaineering industry.
“Sherpas risk their lives on every climb. Their courage, skill, and selflessness make every expedition possible, yet they often work with limited support or protection,” the post reads. “In Chinny’s honour, and in lieu of flowers, we are raising funds to provide direct assistance to Sherpa communities and rescue teams, ensuring they have the resources, training, and care they deserve.”
The campaign states that funds will be distributed in collaboration with Chan’s Nepali friends to ensure aid reaches areas where it is most needed. Organizers said the response so far has been “overwhelming,” describing the contributions and messages of sympathy as a reflection of how deeply Chan was loved.
Chan’s death has also highlighted the risks faced by climbers and rescuers in Nepal’s high-altitude regions. Pemba Sherpa, head of 8K Expeditions, told Everest Chronicle that the rescue was delayed after Chan’s insurer, Global Rescue LLC, declined to authorize a long-line helicopter evacuation from 6,800 meters, citing safety regulations — a decision Sherpa called “negligent.”
According to Pemba Sherpa, Chan’s body remains at around 6,100 meters, and a Sherpa recovery team has been mobilized to retrieve it.
Himlung Himal, located in Nepal’s Manang district near the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China, is regarded as one of the more accessible 7,000-meter peaks, often used by climbers preparing for higher Himalayan expeditions.
