David Hill climbed Ama Dablam
28 October, 2025
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Climbing Mount Everest is more than just reaching the top of the world. It is a journey of the body, mind, and spirit. For many, it is a dream that seems almost impossible. But for those who dare to take on this challenge, the summit represents a victory over their limits, fears, and struggles.
At Makalu Adventure, we are proud to be part of that journey. We are honored to have helped every single climber who trusted us to reach the top of Everest in 2024 and 2025. Every one of our climbers made it safely to the summit. This is a huge achievement, and it is a result of careful planning, hard work, and the dedication of our expert Sherpa team.
TThis blog celebrates their stories—the climbers who dreamed big and the legendary Sherpas who made those dreams come true.
Before we talk about our climbers, let’s take a look at how we make these successes possible. At Makalu Adventure, we believe that success is built on preparation. It’s not about luck; it’s about being ready for anything.
Our expeditions are built on a foundation of:
This proven system was put to the test over two spectacular seasons, yielding nine incredible success stories.
The spring of 2025 saw a diverse team from across the globe unite under a single, audacious goal. On a single, perfect day—May 15th, 2025—the entire team stood on the summit, a synchronized victory against the odds.
For Ric Rabe, reaching the summit of Everest was about planting a flag for Filipino resilience on the world’s highest stage. Hailing from a nation of islands, his journey to the highest point on Earth was a monumental leap. The final push from the South Col is a brutal test of will, a grueling 12+ hour battle against fatigue and thin air.
Guided by the exceptionally skilled Norbu Sherpa, Ric navigated the Hillary Step with determination. Upon reaching the summit, the first rays of the sun illuminated the vast Himalayan range beneath him. In that moment of breathtaking beauty and overwhelming emotion, the struggle of the entire journey melted away.
In a spectacular show of bravery and will, 18-year-old Ashish Udathanapalli from Chennai, India has officially summited Mount Everest, 8,848.48 meters highest mountain in the world on 15th of May at 7:15 AM. Besides marking a personal turning point for Ashish, this amazing accomplishment inspires youngsters all throughout his country and beyond. His accomplishment shows how much youth aspiration, preparation, and perseverance can achieve.
Makalu Adventure, the group that supported during his trip, showed great pride in his achievement. "We are humbled to have contributed to Ashish's journey to the pinnacle of the planet".
Ashish’s journey to Everest was fueled by a deep desire to achieve something extraordinary for himself and his community in India. The journey through the Khumbu Icefall, a constantly shifting labyrinth of seracs and crevasses, is a profound mental and physical challenge. For Ashish, each careful step through this section, guided by Dasange Sherpa, was a lesson in trust and precision.
On summit day, as Ashish followed Dasange’s steady lead up the icy slopes of the Lhotse Face and towards the summit, he was driven by the thought of the millions of people in his homeland. Standing on top, he unfurled the Indian flag, his heart swelling with a pride that eclipsed the -30°C chill. His story is a testament to the power of a dream to transcend individual ambition and become a symbol of national pride.
Samiur Rashid, from the United Kingdom, brought a quiet, British resolve to the expedition. An experienced trekker, he understood that Everest was a different beast altogether. The high camps, particularly Camp IV at the South Col, are a harsh environment where rest is elusive and the wind howls incessantly.
With Phurba Onggel Sherpa, a guide known for his calm demeanor and sharp instinct, by his side, Samiur tackled summit night with methodical focus. The seemingly endless traverse to the summit ridge tested his endurance, but Phurba’s encouragement was a constant source of strength. Reaching the top, Samiur was met with a surreal silence, the curvature of the Earth visible in the distance. For him, the summit was not a conquest, but a moment of profound peace and personal fulfillment, a quiet victory witnessed only by the peaks of the Himalayas.
The 2024 season set the stage for our continued success, with five climbers summiting across two key days in May, showcasing our team's flexibility and strength in managing multiple summit pushes.
William, a determined Canadian, was the first of our team to claim victory in 2024, summiting on May 13th. His journey was characterized by immense physical power and a positive spirit that lifted the entire team. The acclimatization process is a long, drawn-out battle where the body is constantly pushed to its limits. William embraced this grind with unwavering focus.
Led by Phursemba Sherpa, a veteran with an incredible sense of timing, William seized an early weather window. While others waited, he made his push, navigating the Balcony and the South Summit with robust strength. To stand on the summit, with the entire Himalayan panorama at his feet, was the culmination of a lifetime of preparation. William’s story underscores the importance of being physically and mentally ready to act when the mountain gives its consent.
Summiting on May 15th, 2024, Michael from the UK exemplified the virtue of patience and steady progress. The Lhotse Face, a steep, blue-ice wall, is one of the most technically demanding sections of the climb. For Michael, mastering this section with his guide, Phurba Sherpa, was a critical confidence-builder.
The final push to the summit under the starlit sky was a test of mental fortitude. With Phurba Sherpa setting a perfect pace, Michael focused on nothing but the next step, the next breath. When he finally stood on the summit, the sense of achievement was overwhelming. It was a victory for consistency, for the belief that slow and steady, with the right guide, can indeed win the most demanding race.
Antonio’s journey from the stunning coastline of Croatia to the pinnacle of the world is a story of dramatic transformation. Summiting on May 20th, his climb was a masterclass in adaptation. The high-altitude environment, with its low oxygen, presents a unique challenge for those not born to it.
With Norbu Sherpa as his guardian and guide, Antonio adapted brilliantly. On summit day, as they moved past the South Summit and along the final cornice traverse, the exposure was immense. But with Norbu’s expert rope management and calm instructions, Antonio moved with confidence. Planting the Croatian flag on the summit was a symbolic moment, connecting his homeland’s spirit of endurance with the ultimate physical challenge.
For Aklakur, the summit on May 20th was the fulfillment of a promise he made to himself being the first British Muslim to climb Mount Everest. The journey is filled with moments of doubt, where the body screams to stop and the mind questions the purpose. For Aklakur, the camaraderie of the team and the unwavering support of his guide were his anchors.
Guided by Phurba Onggel Sherpa, Aklakur found a deep reserve of strength on summit day. The thin air made every step a monumental effort, but Phurba Onggel’s experience—knowing when to push and when to rest—was invaluable. Cresting the final rise and seeing the prayer flags of the summit was an emotional explosion of joy and relief. His story is a powerful reminder that the summit is reached not just by the legs, but by the heart.
Sacheen’s successful summit on May 20th, 2024, guided by Pastemba Sherpa, wrote a new chapter in his personal book of adventures. The descent is often called the most dangerous part of the climb, as exhaustion sets in and focus can wane. For Sacheen, the entire journey was a lesson in humility and respect for the mountain.
After the euphoria of standing on the summit, the reality of the long, dangerous descent sets in. With Pastemba Sherpa’s vigilant guidance, Sacheen descended safely, his success cemented not just by reaching the top, but by returning to tell the tale. His achievement stands as a beacon for aspiring Indian mountaineers, demonstrating that with expert guidance and unwavering determination, the summit is within reach.
The names of our clients are inscribed in record books, but the names of their guides are engraved into the very ice and rock of Everest. Norbu Sherpa, Dasange Sherpa, Phurba Onggel Sherpa, Phursemba Sherpa, Phurba Sherpa, and Pastemba Sherpa are the architects of these dreams.
They are the first to wake and the last to sleep. They fix the ropes, carry the extra oxygen, assess the weather, and make the critical decisions that separate success from tragedy. Their strength is superhuman, their knowledge is encyclopedic, and their commitment to their clients' safety is absolute. These success stories are, in every sense, their stories too.
The consecutive successes of 2024 and 2025 are not a coincidence; they are the result of a system that works, a culture that prioritizes safety, and a team that is second to none. The stories of Ric, Ashish, Samiur, William, Michael, Antonio, Aklakur, and Sacheen show us that the summit of Everest is achievable for those who are prepared to work for it and wise enough to choose the right partners for the journey.
At Makalu Adventure, we have proven our ability to deliver on the ultimate promise. The mountain will always be there, challenging, majestic, and unforgiving. But with the right team, the right preparation, and the right spirit, your dream of standing on top of the world is not just a dream—it is your next destination.
