Education Elevated's Trek to Mount Everest

“Free Tibet,” “Support the Monks,” “Boycott the Chinese Olympic Ceremonies!” Those are common shouts heard in and around Nepal, India, and Tibet, not to mention the rest of the Hindu-supporting world. Since 2001, not only have the Tibetan people taken refuge in the mountain ranges of Nepal and into India, but daily the Nepalese encounter war and turmoil from Maoist aggressors. And recent land mines have injured and killed hundreds — including children. The children of the world — even in third world countries — are our future. What can we do to help?

In 2006, a seed was planted, has sprout in 2007, and now in 2008, blossomed into reality. Pem Sherpa had a heartfelt idea to change to world, one child at a time by helping the children’s schools in Nepal. Pem and Moni Sherpa are native Nepalese and were the first couple to ever be married on top of Mount Everest and they now reside in Kathmandu. Pem grew up in the Chyangba Village, which is in the Everest Region, Solukhumbu District, and his family still lives there. This is his story of how he met an amazing woman who has taken an idea and made it into a reality.

Gerri Kier (a native of Colorado) met Pem and Moni Sherpa on a Rotary hiking day in July of 2006.  As the three hiked around Cottonwood Pass outside of Buena Vista, Colorado Pem suggested that Gerri hike to Everest Base Camp. After much prayer and consideration the wheels started to turn and a trekking trip to Everest Base Camp was added to the schedule for May, 2008.

As Pem and Gerri talked more about the Mount Everest trek they decided there should be be a fundraising opportunity connected with the event — Education Elevated was born. The concept behind the name, Education Elevated, is for every vertical foot of elevation gain that trekkers and climbers ascend, their supporters will contribute an agreed upon amount of money for education in the country where the mountains they climb are located.