Everest on Ebay: The Apa and Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa Collection
March 23, 2008
While browsing around on Ebay today, I came across a couple of interesting items. The first is the hat worn to the top of Mt. Everest by Apa Sherpa in 2007. If you will remember back to last May, The Adventurist followed Apa as he was setting out on a record breaking run (he was breaking his own record) of most times summiting Mt. Everest. He was successful in his bid of capturing his 17th summit of the world’s highest peak.
The hat in question was actually given to Apa by 5 time US speed skater champion Eric Heiden and was worn the complete trip by Apa Sherpa.
The second item of interest is another Apa Sherpa related item. Apa Sherpa’s Poisk Oxygen tank that went up with him as well. The Poisk Oxygen tanks are pretty cool looking and would make a great addition to any Everest collection. The tank has been personally signed by Apa–the seller also goes on to explain that he has three of these for sale, as well as another 4 Poisk Oxygen tanks belonging to Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa. Lhakpa, if you will remember back, went up with Apa Sherpa during the SuperSherpas campaign in 2007 to bring awareness to the Sherpa people. It was the first time that a Sherpa only expedition had ever taken place. Lhakpe Gelu Sherpa has 13 summits to his credit as well as a former Everest Climbing Speed Record of 10 hrs, 56 minutes, and 46 seconds.
Both auctions are currrently running. The hat has 2 days to go and already has a bid of $99. The Poisk Oxygen tanks have 9 days left and are currently priced at $199.00.
If you happen to be the winning bidder of either item, you will also recieve an autographed 8×11 summit photo featuring both Apa Sherpa and Lhakpa Gelu. For extra bragging rights, the photo just happens to show Apa wearing the hat in question-
Both of these items are being put up on Ebay in order to help support an education fund for both Apa and Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa’s children. A good cause–Everest items of historical significance–and the signed 8×10. What more could you ask for?
To view either auction, click the following key words: Apa’s Hat Apa’s Poisk Tank
I will try to keep an eye on these items and give the final prices in a later update. I am really kind of surprised that more climbers don’t go this route to try to get some of their money back. Seems to be a pretty good market for authentic material relating to Mt. Everest-
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Written by Jason A. Hendricks · Filed Under Everest 2007, Mt. Everest 2007, SuperSherpas, Uncategorized |
Thank you Jason for posting your e-mail. Your awareness and helping the Sherpas is greatly appreciated. Happy Easter!!!
What a small world- TOSH (the hospital advertised on the hat) is an orthopedic specialty hospital here in Salt Lake City that is housed inside another IHC hospital where I’ve had two surgeries. I think those are the hats they give their patients in the winter when they wheel them out to their cars.
Spectacular? Not really. But I got a kick out of seeing that hat on an Everest sherpa.
If I remember correctly, Apa actually lives in Salt Lake City. Roger Kehr, who helped the SuperSherpas Expedition with logistics and so-forth is also based out of Salt Lake City–that is where they met and put this operation together. I think Lhakpa Gelu, if I remember correctly might be residing in Boston currently. They get way more publicity here in the US, then they would being based out of Nepal or Tibet. They make their money and send it back to their families when they head that direction during the Everest season.
I am not familiar with Tosh, but I am almost betting that the hat came from where you are thinking, originally. Glad you noticed the detail.
By the way, I think the hat went for the $99 and am not sure if the Oxygen canisters even sold.
[...] means to survival. I recently covered a few items, most notably a Poisk Oxygen canister, that were being featured on Ebay. In the listing for this item, it was made very clear that all proceeds were going to help support [...]