KATHMANDU: At least five climbers, including Mike Harker, Public Affairs Chief at the US Embassy in Nepal, successfully scaled Lobuche East Peak in the Everest region today.According to Chhang Dawa Sherpa, Expedition Director at Seven Summit Treks, Harker reached the 6,119-metre summit along with SST Director and Everest summiteer Pasang Phurba Sherpa, and Heli Everest Captain Pastenji Sherpa, at around 5:15 a.m.
“They reached the summit of the 6,119-metre peak, marking the first successful ascent above 6,000 metres for Mike and second for Pastenji,” Chhang Dawa said.The climbers were guided to the summit by Tendi Sherpa and Dawa Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks.
Lobuche East, often used by climbers for acclimatization before attempting higher Himalayan peaks, offers panoramic views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam.Mike Harker currently serves as the Public Affairs Chief at the U.S. Embassy in Nepal, where he directs embassy communications and oversees educational and cultural programming.
His first visit to Nepal in 2006-when he hiked the Annapurna Circuit-sparked a lasting connection that inspired multiple returns for trekking and monastery studies.He has previously served in Bangladesh, Iraq, Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt, and most recently as the Spokesperson at the U.S. Embassy in Burma, where he managed crisis communications following the 2021 military coup.
Harker holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from UCLA and a Master’s degree in International Affairs from Columbia University.Pasang Phurba Sherpa played a key role in the success of the climb, having summited Lobuche twice before, in 2020. A seasoned guide and long-time member of Seven Summit Treks, Pasang has served as Base Camp Manager for multiple SST expeditions. He has already completed four of the Seven Summits – Everest, Elbrus, Kilimanjaro, and Carstensz Pyramid.
