Friends in High Places Movie Project
Donation protected
What is Kanchenjunga?
Imagine a wild and remote land, where few travelers have ventured. Shrouded in mystery and lost among some of the highest mountains in the world. A place where strange and rare creatures roam free among the labyrinth of steep valleys, rolling hills and snowy peaks. Where ice, rock and sky collide atop the third highest mountain in the world, soaring at 8,586m. This is Kanchenjunga.
Who is Namgya Sherpa?
Now, imagine a boy born in this beautiful corner of the Himalayas, raised on the life-giving waters that flow from the Kanchenjunga glacier. His days are spent exploring the steep hills and tending to his family’s yaks.
30 years later, this man is now one of the most successful Sherpa climbing guides. A man who has touched countless lives and inspired many young Sherpa to follow in his path - providing them with skills and jobs. A kind, humble and gentle soul whose climbing achievements are only outweighed by his extraordinary generosity and affable nature.
Namgya grew up as a yak herder in the tiny village of Gyable, in the Kanchenjunga valley. Through his adult life, he has progressed from a porter carrying heavy loads and supplies for expeditions, to becoming a well-known high altitude climbing guide with his own trekking and expedition business. Namgya has summited Everest 15 times, as well as numerous other 8,000m peaks. He is also the only Sherpa to guide on Mt Vincent, Antarctica, with over 25 successful ascents.
While he has an impressive climbing resume, Namgya has never climbed his home mountain, Kanchenjunga. Our story will focus on Namgya, his life, Sherpa traditions and culture, and his process of climbing Kanchenjunga - the world’s third highest mountain.
Sherpa guides are incredible people, who risk their lives on the high peaks in order to provide for their families. However, they are often overlooked in movies and stories in favor of recognizing the achievements of Western climbers. It’s time Sherpa receive the recognition they deserve.
Why make this movie?
Most people never get to meet their heroes, let alone climb in the Himalayas with them. This mountain is significant to both Namgya and I for different reasons. For me - to capture Namgya’s journey to summit his home mountain, and to climb with my hero in this stunning place will be a dream come true.
My priorities for the 'Friends in high places' movie are:
- Capture Namgya’s story.
Namgya, like thousands of other Sherpa guides, risks his life on dangerous Himalayan mountains to allow others to experience this incredible place. Yet somehow, Sherpa rarely make it into the spotlight.
- Showcase the Kanchenjunga area.
Increase awareness for this beautiful place and encourage tourism to the area which provides jobs and income to the local people.
- Give an insight on Sherpa culture
These are the kindest, most generous people I have met. Their culture is vibrant and exciting, while also peaceful and spiritual.
- Document the Kanchenjunga expedition
Everyone has heard of Everest and K2, but little is know about Kanchenjunga outside the climbing world. It's a stunningly beautiful mountain with an exciting history of ascents and deserves more attention than it receives.
How does your support help?
All donations go towards funding the movie, and will cover camera equipment, the services of a professional director/camera person, post production, etc. This is estimated at $10,000 CAD and will take 3-4 months. Any remaining funding will be donated to the Himalayan Life charity. All donors will receive a link to the finished movie and their name in the credits as a thank-you!
Imagine a wild and remote land, where few travelers have ventured. Shrouded in mystery and lost among some of the highest mountains in the world. A place where strange and rare creatures roam free among the labyrinth of steep valleys, rolling hills and snowy peaks. Where ice, rock and sky collide atop the third highest mountain in the world, soaring at 8,586m. This is Kanchenjunga.
Who is Namgya Sherpa?
Now, imagine a boy born in this beautiful corner of the Himalayas, raised on the life-giving waters that flow from the Kanchenjunga glacier. His days are spent exploring the steep hills and tending to his family’s yaks.
30 years later, this man is now one of the most successful Sherpa climbing guides. A man who has touched countless lives and inspired many young Sherpa to follow in his path - providing them with skills and jobs. A kind, humble and gentle soul whose climbing achievements are only outweighed by his extraordinary generosity and affable nature.
Namgya grew up as a yak herder in the tiny village of Gyable, in the Kanchenjunga valley. Through his adult life, he has progressed from a porter carrying heavy loads and supplies for expeditions, to becoming a well-known high altitude climbing guide with his own trekking and expedition business. Namgya has summited Everest 15 times, as well as numerous other 8,000m peaks. He is also the only Sherpa to guide on Mt Vincent, Antarctica, with over 25 successful ascents.
While he has an impressive climbing resume, Namgya has never climbed his home mountain, Kanchenjunga. Our story will focus on Namgya, his life, Sherpa traditions and culture, and his process of climbing Kanchenjunga - the world’s third highest mountain.
Sherpa guides are incredible people, who risk their lives on the high peaks in order to provide for their families. However, they are often overlooked in movies and stories in favor of recognizing the achievements of Western climbers. It’s time Sherpa receive the recognition they deserve.
Why make this movie?
Most people never get to meet their heroes, let alone climb in the Himalayas with them. This mountain is significant to both Namgya and I for different reasons. For me - to capture Namgya’s journey to summit his home mountain, and to climb with my hero in this stunning place will be a dream come true.
My priorities for the 'Friends in high places' movie are:
- Capture Namgya’s story.
Namgya, like thousands of other Sherpa guides, risks his life on dangerous Himalayan mountains to allow others to experience this incredible place. Yet somehow, Sherpa rarely make it into the spotlight.
- Showcase the Kanchenjunga area.
Increase awareness for this beautiful place and encourage tourism to the area which provides jobs and income to the local people.
- Give an insight on Sherpa culture
These are the kindest, most generous people I have met. Their culture is vibrant and exciting, while also peaceful and spiritual.
- Document the Kanchenjunga expedition
Everyone has heard of Everest and K2, but little is know about Kanchenjunga outside the climbing world. It's a stunningly beautiful mountain with an exciting history of ascents and deserves more attention than it receives.
How does your support help?
All donations go towards funding the movie, and will cover camera equipment, the services of a professional director/camera person, post production, etc. This is estimated at $10,000 CAD and will take 3-4 months. Any remaining funding will be donated to the Himalayan Life charity. All donors will receive a link to the finished movie and their name in the credits as a thank-you!
Organizer
John Gill
Organizer
North Vancouver, BC
