I was born in the village of Hungung, located near Makalu, one of the highest Himalayan peaks. Like many others in this village, it was not uncommon for people to borrow from the rich to feed their children. They grew millet on the landowner's fields to pay off their debts - one bushel of millet for the landowner meant one bushel of millet for themselves.

Because of this, I grew up working in the terraced mountain fields. When I was twelve, I had only been to school for three years. At that time, my parents sent me on a five-day trek to Khandabari to purchase supplies. They gave me 300 rupees (about five dollars).

Once in Khandabari I was mesmerized by the Western trekkers. I accepted work as a porter, thinking I could take money back to my family. For two weeks I carried loadsnear Namche, but I had not counted on the cost of eating and sleeping in tea houses. Soon, my pay and my parents' money were gone! I could not go home and face my parents after losing their money.

Then I met Mr. Dorjee Sherpa, a successful expedition guide who was building a new tea house. Dorjee hired me to carry lumber, windows, and other materials to the construction site. He offered me a place to live and a small salary. In return, I helped him build his house and worked on his expeditions. For three years I lived with Dorjee and his family. It took that much time to save the 300 rupees I needed to repay my parents. Of course, my parents were overjoyed to see me again when I finally returned. But I had learned much about trekking and expeditions while working with Dorjee.

I worked as a cook on Dorjee's first expedition to Manaslu in 1989, when I was 15 years old. Soon after that I went to Mount Everest from the south approach in 1993. After that I went to Everest from the north approach in 1994, then the Canadian Everest Expedition in 1997.

I have worked throughout the Khumbu, Mustang, and Sikkim, and worked on the Makalu expedition in 1992. I have guided treks for many people, including the American news anchorman Tom Brokaw.

Several people banded together to pay for me to take English lessons, and a trip to the United States to practice my English. By now, I have earned enough money to pay off my parents' debts and I am the main support for my mother, father and eleven siblings.

My experience and trekking stories make the rugged Himalayan Mountains a little less forbidding!