5/22/2007 10:04:51 AM -- More Loss on the Mountain
    The SuperSherpas team was greatly saddened to hear about the loss of dear friend Pemba Doma, who died in a fall Monday after summitting Lhotse (the fourth highest peak in the world at 27,939 feet).
    Pemba, who leaves a husband and daughter, was the first Nepalese woman to climb both the north and south routes of Mount Everest.
    The Sherpani from Namche Bazaar was climbing with Asian Trekking and had reached the top of Lhotse with two other Sherpas and Blair Falahey of Australia when she stumbled on the way down.
    The SuperSherpas heard the news while stuck in the village of Syangboche, waiting for the weather to clear so a helicopter could lift them to Kathmandu.
    They made somber calls to Salt Lake City Tuesday morning to share the sad news. Pemba had visited the SuperSherpas at base camp and made plans to visit Salt Lake City again this summer to see her friends. Apa and Pemba had traveled to Salt Lake City in January and February of 2006 to attend the Outdoor Retailer Show. During her stay, Pemba also spoke to a free women's-only event at Snowbird during Backcountry Awareness Week.
    Pemba, who worked as an au pair in France, spoke nine languages. Her first attempt on Everest in 2000 was disappointing because the team she signed on with left her out of the summit plans. She decided to go by herself, knowing that other Sherpas on the mountain would help if she encountered problems.
    She reached the top May 19, 2000, and became the first woman from Nepal to summit from the North Route. On her way down, she came to the aid of a Japanese climber she knew. She helped the snow-blind climber down the mountain. The man credited her with saving his life.
    The SuperSherpas are devastated by the loss of Pemba and said they will make every effort to help her family.
    Brett Prettyman, The Salt Lake Tribune