Help Anoj Climb Everest!

Hi everyone,

I am starting this GoFundMe on behalf of my dear friend and “bhai” (little brother), Anoj Thapa. I met Anoj on my Everest Basecamp Trek this last October when he was promoted to being our lead guide. Anoj and I became fast friends on the trail, and now an opportunity has presented itself to help him achieve a dream in the same way he helped me reach one of mine.

WHO IS ANOJ?

Anoj is an early-career professional in Nepal’s famous trekking and mountaineering industry. He started work with a company named Elite Exped in April 2023. If you have seen the famous “14 Peaks” film on Netfilx about Nims Purja and Mingma David setting the world record for climbing the world’s 14 highest 8,000m peaks…Elite is their company. Anoj moved up from working in the Elite basecamp kitchen serving coffee at Mt. Manaslu in Spring 2023 to being the lead guide for our 12 day Everest Trek in 6 months, and then summited his first 6,000m peak – Ama Dablam, the most technical mountain in the Himalayas – shortly after that.

One of the reasons Anoj has moved up so quickly is because of his killer work ethic and passion to do better for the industry – both by providing better job opportunities to Nepalis in the industry and by taking care of the planet. In his words, “For my ambition, I promise to do better for the climbing community and for mother nature.” He has a degree in social work and has spent a good portion of his time mentoring and leading trips for the Nepali Boy Scouts in support of the next generation.

WHAT IS THE SITUATION?

Everyone in the world knows the name Mt. Everest. It is the world’s tallest mountain, and as such presents the opportunity for someone to add some major “street cred” to their professional resume, and can slingshot a person’s career. Anoj has the opportunity to climb Everest and launch his career as a big-mountain leader this March.

This is a life-changing opportunity, and a huge recognition by Anoj’s leadership of his work ethic and vision. Big mountain guides make more money and can have more job security than trekking guides alone. There are thousands of guides every year who are trying to make a name for themselves in the industry, and Anoj has been recognized and given a shot by two of the most famous in the industry and world.

What’s the only thing in his way right now? While his company can cover his travel, insurance, and accommodations, unfortunately they aren't able to foot the bill on his gear. And, being a seasonal professional at the start of his mountaineering career, that means he is starting from scratch and has to buy EVERYTHING.

WHY SHOULD YOU DONATE?

Anoj is an upstanding guy who really impressed me on the trip (and, as I told him, I’m not that easily impressed). Anoj has worked his butt off to get where he is, and the only thing holding him back is funds. It is HARD to make money in Nepal (even as a trekking guide), but nonetheless he dedicates part of his paycheck from each trip to his parents so that they don’t have to work. Funding should not stop someone who has worked this hard and has this vision from achieving their dreams.

WHAT WILL FUNDING COVER?

Currently, Anoj is still short the following pieces of gear. All donations will go towards helping him buy these in Kathmandu:

• A -40C sleeping bag -- Rs. 20,000

• Air mattress -- Rs. 15,000

• Mountaineering Double Boots (special for 8,000m peaks, and important for protecting against frostbite) -- Rs. 100,000

• Down Mountaineering Suit (also important for warmth and protection against frostbite) -- Rs. 150,000

• Crampons -- Rs. 20,000

• Headtorch (plus spares and batteries) -- Rs. 5,000

• Mountaineering Harness -- Rs. 10,000

• Carabiners and belay device (for ascending and descending and safety while roped in) -- Rs. 15,000

• Gloves -- Rs. 15,000

• Helmet -- Rs. 10,000

In total, this comes out to $360,000 Nepalese Rupees, or just over $2700USD. We are bumping funding to $3,000 to cover wire fees and any unexpected incidentals.

This gear is not just necessary for survival on the mountain: it kickstarts his career for other 8,000m peaks because it can be used for ALL of them!

Whatever we are not able to fundraise, Anoj plans to fund though a loan. But, if we can keep him from having to go into debt, it will really help!

WHAT WILL YOU GET FOR SPONSORING?

For helping him achieve his dream and purchase the gear to kickstart his career, Anoj is offering the following:

• Access to the coveted Thapa Family Masala Chai recipe

• Carrying your logo on his helmet or suit. Alternatively, a message you’d like to send to the top of the world or the name of a loved one can be written on his helmet.

• A video from his highest point on the mountain thanking you for your support.

• Explainer videos about how each piece of gear you helped him buy works, and how it helps him climb the mountain.

WHAT HAPPENS IF HE CAN’T SUMMIT THIS SPRING?

If any of you are familiar with mountaineering, you know that any climb – especially in the Himalayas – is especially weather dependent. Mother Nature rules. If Anoj is not able to summit Everest this spring, he will use the gear on Manaslu (another famous 8,000m peak) in the fall. Either way, the gear will be used.

HOW WILL THE MONEY GET TO ANOJ?

Any money raised will be transferred into my bank account. I will then wire it to Anoj.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for considering helping my friend. He works hard and is not one to ask for help easily, and has the opportunity to make a big difference in Nepal and in the industry…he just needs a little help reaching his summit!