Everest Speed Record Revisited: All is not mellow in Sherpa-land, it seems. Just over a week ago, TWC reported on a new Everest speed record, set by Pemba Dorji Sherpa who said he went from Base Camp to the summit in the spectacular time of 8 hours and 10 minutes. But now Lakpa Gelu Sherpa, the previous record holder who managed the feat in May 2003 in 10 hours and 46 minutes, has challenged Pemba Dorji’s new record. Citing inconsistencies in Pemba’s account and the bad weather on the mountain that day, Lakpa filed a complaint with the Nepalese tourist ministry, questioning whether Pemba really could have pulled off the climb. “When Pemba is believed to have reached the top at record fastest time there was no one above 6,500 meters (21,330 feet),” [Lakpa] said. “Thus no one can say if Pemba really made it to the top or not.” Pemba has shrugged off the charge, saying that he has sufficient poof. Interestingly, when Lakpa set his record in 2003, the record he bested–set just three days earlier–had been put up by none other than Pemba Sherpa. The tourism ministry has opened a probe to sort out this ongoing pissing match. But there’s obviously only one way to resolve it once and for all: both Sherpas, head to head, sprinting up Everest. And TWC claims the TV rights…



Pemba Sherpa: “Hey, Lakpa. You’re right. I do look pretty damn good for having been to the top and back. Heh-heh. Eat your heart out, bro..”

(Photo: AFP)