Stories of Everest with Apa Sherpa in San Francisco

A Kathmandu-based Nepali startup, StoryCycle showcased the Khumbu Street View project in San Francisco, USA with 21-time legendary Everest summiteer Apa Sherpa.

Apa, who guided the Google and StoryCycle team to the Khumbu region last April, joined the launch event in San Francisco today and talked about his experiences.

“The next generation Sherpas need to have different options for the profession than climbing, so education is a must to the children of the region so that they can pursue other career choices and not necessarily have to make risky expeditions”, said Apa.

Raleigh Seamster, Program Manager of Google Earth Outreach stressed on the need for similar kinds of projects to be continued in the region to make a strong digital presence, and applauded the team’s effort in making the Khumbu Street View project successful. She also highlighted on how StoryCycle as a partner could extend the community mapping efforts.

Saurav Dhakal, founder and curator of StoryCycle said that this Everest Street View project could give the country new vibe to the world, as this launch has coincided right before beginning of this year’s expedition season, and said Everest project has given us energy and excitement to work on more interesting projects in the coming years.

Ankur Sharma of StoryCycle presented videos from the Khumbu region trip, along with 360º imageries and anecdotes of the Sherpa people in the event. The program felicitated the team members of the project from Google, Apa Sherpa Foundation and StoryCycle.

The event was hosted by the Global Nepalese Professional Network (GNPN) in Runway Incubator at the Twitter building in San Francisco. Enthusiasts, mountain climbers, entrepreneurs, regulars, techies, Nepal lovers, mountain lovers, sherpa community and members of the Nepalese communities living around the Bay Area attended the event, the event also witnessed Norbu, son of the Tenzing Norgay.