Everest 2008: Dawa Steven Sherpa making the news

At the age of 24, Dawa Steven Sherpa has climbed Mt.Cho Oyu 8201m (Tibet Side) 2006, Mt. Everest 8848m (SE Ridge) 2007, Mt.Lhotse 8516m (West Face) 2008, and Mt. Everest 8848m (SE Ridge) for the second time as leader of Eco Everest Expedition 2008. He holds an honors degree from Heriot-Watt University in Scotland, and brings fresh new ideas into the mountaineering forum.

Son of Ang Tshering Sherpa, Founding Chairman of Asian Trekking (P) Ltd., and Jo Logghe Sherpa ,Dawa Steven Sherpa is the Managing Director of Asian Trekking.

Dawa Steven followed his parent�s footsteps to provide professional support in trekking tourism and mountaineering expeditions. During the climbing season of 2007 and 2008 he showed his entrepreneurial skills by opening and running the world�s highest bakery at Everest base camp (5330m).

In the spring of 2008,Dawa Steven organized the successful Eco Everest Expedition to draw attention to the impact of climate change on the Himalayas and to field test eco-friendly approaches to running a major mountaineering expedition.

His efforts to draw international attention to the impact of climate change on our mountains and the threat of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) to lives and property of the people of the Everest region has been recognized by various international associations and organizations:

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) and the International Rangers Federation (IRF) selected Dawa Steven Sherpa as one of the Top Five Young Conservationists in the world for 2008.In their joint statement, the WCPA and IRF stated:

��by reaching the summit of Mt. Everest on May 26th 2008, Dawa Steven Sherpa (age 24) of Nepal � exemplifies the creative, undaunted spirit of young conservationists by demonstrating remarkable self-sacrifice and engagement towards the conservation of Protected Areas and a passion to preserve nature�s beauty.� The Young Conservationist Award, now in its second year, is a joint initiative launched by IUCN�s World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) and the IRF.

Dawa Steven�s outstanding achievements recognized this year included his innovative conservation-focused efforts to �Leave No Trace� in the Everest region through his 2008 Eco Everest Expedition, and his support of the �50 Years of Climate Change� exhibit that has allowed its important conservation message to reach a much greater audience.�

Similarly, the UIAA has awarded him the Award for Contributions to UIAA stating:

��(his) great efforts to promote conservation ethics in the mountains and to draw international attention to the high risk to lives and property of residents in the Khumbu region due to floods caused by climate change.�

Dawa Steven has also been awarded with the prestigious Special Achievement Award from the Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation � Canada for his double summit of the both Everest and Lhotse and for his environmental initiatives in 2008 Spring.

The award says:

��this �Award of Recognition� (is presented) to Dawa Steven Sherpa, for his on going dedication to raising the awareness of and protecting the local environment�.�

Dawa Steven was invited to the Mountain Forum at the Banff Mountain Film & Book Festival (1-9 November 2008) in Canada to speak on achievements of the Eco Everest Expedition 2008. The organizers describe his as:

��.bringing fresh new ideas into the mountaineering forum � the owner and operator of the world�s highest bakery, located at Everest Base Camp. His first ascent to the top of Everest in May 2007 set him on a quest to discover the effects of climate change on the Himalaya, and led him to develop Eco Everest Expedition 2008.�

Dawa Steven has formulated the �Eco Everest 2008 Model� based on the successful and effective field-testing of alternate energy, collection and proper disposal of garbage, and the containment and proper disposal of human waste. This Eco Everest 2008 model will now be used on all mountaineering expeditions being organized by Asian Trekking (P) Ltd.

SUCCESFUL ASCENTS:

2006: Mt. Cho Oyu 8201m (Tibet side) Summit

2007: Mt. Everest 8848m (SE Ridge) Summit

2008: Mt. Lhotse 8516m (West Face) Summit

Mt. Everest 8848m (SE Ridge Second Ascent)

Leader and Organizer Eco Everest Expedition 2008