Phurba Sonam Sherpa
Guide/High Altitude/Cinematographer
Guide/High Altitude/Cinematographer
I am Phurba Sonam Sherpa, a mountaineer and mountain guide from the Everest region of the Himalayas. With nearly two decades of experience in the mountaineering and tourism industry, I am dedicated to promoting safety in climbing and mountaineering practices. Remaining active as a climber, guide, educator, and mentor, I strive to raise awareness about […]
My journey in trekking, mountain guiding, mountaineering, photography, videography, and rescue has been incredible, and I was fortunate to achieve record-setting climbs of the world’s 13 highest peaks throughout my career.
I have successfully guided numerous treks and mountaineering expeditions, including those on Everest, Lhotse (twice), Annapurna, Manaslu (twice), and Ama Dablam (three times), as well as Aconcagua in Argentina.
My extensive experience highlights my expertise in high-altitude guiding and effective team organization.
I have worked as an adventure photographer on some of the world’s most renowned mountains, starting my journey on Ama Dablam in October 2015.
My projects include filming on Everest (twice), K2 (twice), Lhotse, Kanchenjunga, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum I, Gasherbrum II, Broad Peak, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri, Cho Oyu, Sishapangma, Makalu, Annapurna, and Mera Peak.
In addition to guiding and photography, I have been involved in high-altitude rescue services on peaks above 8,000 meters.
My work includes retrieving a body from Everest’s South Col in 2022, conducting a live rescue of a Nepali Army mountaineer on Everest’s South Summit in 2023, another live rescue on Sishapangma in 2023, and retrieving another body on Sishapangma in 2024.
I have successfully guided numerous treks and climbs, and during my career as a mountain guide and cameraman, I have scaled 13 of the world’s highest peaks above 8,000 meters, with only Sishapangma remaining for me to achieve a complete ascent of all 14 eight-thousanders, In total successful summit count 18 X 8000 meters, along with Aconcagua in South America.
We have been on quite the journey together and I couldn’t be prouder of how he has grown and developed as a photographer and videographer. When Sonam joined the @eliteexped team back in 2019, he had yet to conquer any 8,000-meter peaks. However, today, I couldn’t be prouder to see him complete an incredible 13 x 8,000-meter shoots, with a total summit count of 18 x 8,000 meter peaks.
Throughout, Sonam has shown dedication and commitment to his training, both as a climber, guide and videographer. His work can be seen in the film Finding Michael, and he is currently working on a top-secret project – trust me, you will be blown away when you see it!
We have shared so many breath-taking moments together, but our recent summit of Makalu was an emotional one. I still can’t believe he managed to fly the drone on the summit. Congratulations on your remarkable accomplishments brother, I couldn’t be prouder to see your journey.
Today, I want to dedicate this post to him.
Sonam, I’m so grateful to have had you as my guide. We completed three journeys together: Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Manaslu. I always felt safe and protected with you. Knowing that you were nearby and always carefully checking whether I was on the safety rope and whether I had fastened myself correctly before descending. 🙏 Thank you for your dedication and passion for your work.
I will always remember our summit on Lhotse, where without words, you could hear my steps and my breathing, 😮💨 and you adjusted the pace accordingly, allowing me to truly enjoy my first 8000m mountain.
I would also like to thank you for everything you have done for me, your support made each expedition unforgettable. I hope we have many more opportunities to conquer peaks together🥹. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. ❤️
I have had the privilege of working with esteemed companies throughout my guiding career.
