Costa Mesa, Ca.

September 27, 2016

Dear Family & Friends:

David and I are super excited about the upcoming Fall, 2016 Burke-Khang expedition.

We are especially pleased with the world-class Sherpa team we have assembled with the help of Asian Trekking. The Sherpas are equally excited to participate in this first ascent of a mountain in their home country. Two of the Sherpas-Naga Dorjee and Shera Gyaljen-completed the January 2015 reconnaissance of Burke-Khang on my behalf and are looking forward to the opportunity to return to the peak they were the first to scope out. David and I view ourselves as guests in their country, and we are deeply honored to climb with them.

Asian Trekking

David and I have a long and successful relationship with Asian Trekking. I have climbed Mt. Everest 6 times and summited twice. David has climbed Mt. Everest 8 times and summited 6 times. Five of my 6 trips were organized by Asian Trekking, and 7 of David’s 8 trips were organized by Asian Trekking. David and I consider Asian Trekking as part of our extended family in Nepal.

Asian Trekking is based in Kathmandu, Nepal and is a family owned company established by Ang Tshering Sherpa and managed by his son, Dawa Steven Sherpa. Ang Tshering is a revered figure in the mountaineering community. He has served 3 terms as President of the Nepal Mountaineering Association and is past President of the Union of Asian Alpine Association. Most prestigious of all, he his one of only 10 Honorary Members of the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation. His son, Dawa, is equally accomplished as a businessman and mountaineer. Dawa has summitted Mt. Everest twice. In 2008, he and David summitted Mt. Everest and Mt. Lhotse in a time span of just 5 days.

Dawa Steven Sherpa, Bill & Ang Tshering Sherpa

Below is some biographical information concerning our Sherpa team. The climbing and Sherpa team for Expedition 2016 has a combined total of 24 summits of Mt. Everest. With this horsepower, I am confident we can pull this off with grace, style and respect. As always, and whatever the outcome, I place my full trust in the Lord.

Bill Burke

Naga Dorjee Sherpa

Naga Dorjee is 50-years old and has a storied mountaineering career. He has summitted Mt. Everest 4 times from the South (Nepal) side and once from the North (Tibet) side. He served as Sirdar (lead Sherpa) for Asian Trekking’s successful Everest expeditions in 2013 and 2016. He has also summitted Cho-oyu (5 times), Lhotse, Baruntse, Shisapangma, Ronglykhangri, and Sheyshikhar. Naga Dorjee’s present address is in Chabahil, Kathmandu, and his permanent address is in Khumjung 2, Solukhumbu. He is married and has 3 daughters.

Shera Gyaljen Sherpa

Shera Gyaljen is 29-years old and lives in Khumjung-1, Solukhumbu. He has summitted Mt. Everest 6 times from the South side, and has summited Mera Peak and Lobuche Peak multiple times. He was part of the Everest line fixing team in 2013 and 2016. He summited Mt. Everest twice in 2016-once with the line fixing team and once with the Asian Trekking team. Shera Gyalzen is married and has one son.

Camden Bhote (Sonam)

Camden Bhote is 36-years old and lives in Hatiya-2, Sankhuwasaba. He is married and has 2 sons. He has summited Mt. Everest 5 times from the South side. He has also summited Lobuche East, Lhotse, Himlung, Island Peak and Lhakpa Ri in Nepal.