For centuries, Sherpas wore layers of heavy wool to handle the harsh Himalayan weather. Now, is bringing back Himalayan styles from the 1950s, but making them with modern materials.
Tashi聽Sherpa, founder of Sherpa 国产吃瓜黑料 Gear, had two uncles involved in the first climb of Everest. Da Namgyal聽Sherpa鈥攆ar right in the photo above鈥攐ne of the Tigers of the Snow, the elite cadre of Sherpa who trained as high-altitude mountaineers at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, pitched the way for Hillary and Tenzing Norgay with John Hunt. Ang Gyalzen Sherpa, who appeared on the cover of 国产吃瓜黑料's issue commemorating the 50th anniversary of the first Everest summit, was also one of Tashi's uncles. He was a porter, a man 国产吃瓜黑料 called an unsung hero.
That idea, of Everest's unsung heros inspired Tashi Sherpa to found Sherpa 国产吃瓜黑料 Gear. “I was determined to keep our unsung heroes from disappearing into myth,鈥 said Tashi.聽The company, which makes high-quality outdoor gear, is聽Sherpa-owned and聽Sherpa-run. This fall, Sherpa 国产吃瓜黑料 Gear is bringing back jackets that look like those his uncles wore in 1953.
The Thamserku Jacket, named after a cold, high peak in Nepal鈥檚 Khumbu, unites a durable brushed wool-polyester shell with 40 grams of synthetic insulation for stylish defense against winter's chill. $280; available September 2012.
Classic wool style makes another appearance in the Italian wool herringbone tweed Rabten Jacket. It鈥檚 durable, soft, and naturally breathable. $160; available September 2012.
Sherpa聽finishes all its jackets with a zipper pull of prayer flags鈥攆or your well-being and to bless the ground you walk on. And, a portion of sales go to a special fund for the underprivileged Sherpa children of Nepal.
Look for Sherpa 国产吃瓜黑料 Gear on athlete Dawa Yangzum聽Sherpa, 23. She is currently on the South Col of Everest with the team. And she could become the first Nepalese woman to summit in the capacity of a working聽Sherpa.
鈥擝erne Broudy