Beyond Everest

One small man, one giant mountain: a Sherpa’s quest to create a better future, one perilous step at a time.

Every success story begins with a single step in the right direction. Pem Dorjee Sherpa's journey began with a determination to break the cycle of poverty and abuse he was born into. To do that, Pem will have to summon the resilience, courage, and resolve to do what others only dream of: summit Mt. Everest.

While much has been written about the elite climbers who attempt to conquer Everest, Pem's account is from the rarely heard point of view of a Sherpa. Genetically adapted to life at high altitude and with very few options for making a living, the Sherpas who join climbing expeditions put their own lives on the line to make the dreams of elite climbers come true. Pem’s account is an inside look at the realities of this life, as well as the social and cultural hurdles he must overcome to be with Moni, his feisty and independent Newari wife.

Join Pem in this inspiring tale of one man's quest to create a brighter future, one perilous step at a time.

This discussion guide was shared and sponsored in partnership with DartFrog Books.

Book club questions for Beyond Everest by Corinne Richardson and Pem Dorjee Sherpa

Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.

What did you know/think about Everest mountaineering and the role of Sherpas before reading the book? What did you learn while reading the book? Did anything you read change your perspective?

What was a specific passage that struck you personally—as interesting, profound, funny, incomprehensible, or illuminating? What was your favorite hair-raising moment and why?

Which climber on the Rotary Nepal Expedition team would you most like to meet and why?

Consider Moni Mulepati's words in the Prologue on page xxiv, "Sherpas are like God at Everest. They give you their life. They give their full energy to help you, but they cannot do everything. You have to climb. Without Sherpas, no one would summit Everest." What are your thoughts about how Sherpas put their lives at risk for higher, and potentially life-changing pay to enable western climbers to summit Everest? Do you think the current generation of Sherpa mountaineers think differently about their jobs and risks than older generations of Sherpa climbers and mountaineers? If so, what differences might there be between generations and what might have influenced a shift in thought?

Do you think there is a cost to local Sherpa communities if economic necessity lures or forces Sherpas into the dangerous vocation of satisfying the adventure dreams of foreigners climbing Everest? If so, what are the costs? Is this a circumstance repeated throughout history or is it unique to the Sherpa community?

The book highlights issues of race, class, caste, immigration, and tourism ethics, among others. How do these themes resonate with contemporary discussions about equality, eco tourism, adventure tourism, global warming, immigration politics, and society as a whole?

Pem Sherpa and Moni Mulepati were raised in different castes with very different life experiences. Reflect upon their lives. What challenges did they face while growing up and in adulthood? What do you think their greatest strengths are, and what do those strengths say about their character? How do their experiences resonate with you?

What stood out to you about the caste system that Pem and Moni were raised in? Were there differences or similarities?

When Moni defied the rules of her caste, her father, Mohan Mulepati, had a choice to make about his daughter and his family honor. What do you think of Mohan's decision to assure his daughter's dignity and happiness? What were the risks he took in making his decision?

Why do you think Corinne Richardson and Pem Dorjee Sherpa chose to write this particular book? What are they trying to convey, and were they successful in doing so?

Beyond Everest Book Club Questions PDF

Click here for a printable PDF of the Beyond Everest discussion questions