Mourning Pasang Lama Seru, the Khumbu Trail Builder
Pasang Lama Sherpa, also known as Lama Seru, was recently mourned by Sherpas on social media for his passing. Lama Seru, a well-known figure on the trails of the Khumbu Valley, had never reached the summit of Mount Everest, yet he remained a crucial and often unrecognized hero of the area. For many years, he generously volunteered his time to repair, maintain, and expand the local trails. At the age of 79, Lama Seru passed away, leaving behind a legacy of selfless service to the community.
Chhewang Sherpa wrote that if you ever trek from Namche to Gokyo or Everest Base Camp, you will be walking on the trails that were made by him.
Namche Bazaar's Youth Group posted that he put in relentless efforts to enhance the trekking trail from Namche Bazar to Pheriche.
Chhiring D wrote that he was a constant presence, tirelessly working to guarantee the safety and accessibility of the trails for trekkers. His unwavering dedication has resulted in an enjoyable trekking experience in the area, and his absence will be profoundly felt by those who had the privilege of crossing paths with him.
During the 1980s, Pasang took on the job of a porter and had to face the challenging condition of the trails when the tourism industry was still in its infancy. However, Pasang was determined to enhance the often hazardous paths and enlisted the help of his wife, Lakpa Yangji, to do so. Starting from Dingboche, their hometown, they labored to improve the trails and eventually expanded their efforts to other areas of the valley.
He maintained a small desk and a container where he solicited contributions from hikers passing by.
Today, Pasang Lama's funeral was carried out through contributions from the local community. The impact of his work will continue to be felt by visitors for years to come. As individuals trek through the Khumbu region, they may want to remember Lama Seru and the effort he put into creating the spacious and convenient trails.
Below, a short profile made about Pasang back in 2014.
This article was originally published on Explorersweb.
