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Kathmandu, May 31: Bringing together some of the most influential voices in global mountaineering, expedition tourism, and adventure leadership, the U.S. Embassy Nepal, in partnership with Seven Summit Treks, is hosting Ascent Summit 2026 in Kathmandu today.
The one-day summit serves as a platform for climbers, expedition leaders, athletes, journalists, rescue professionals, innovators, and cultural figures to discuss the evolving future of Mount Everest and high-altitude exploration.
Through keynote sessions, panel discussions, expert dialogues, storytelling, cultural performances, and athlete experiences, the summit explores how Everest is changing and what lies ahead for mountaineering, expedition logistics, tourism, safety, leadership, and sustainability.
According to organisers, the summit aims to strengthen collaboration within the mountaineering community while building connections across tourism, technology, media, culture, rescue systems, business, and youth engagement. The event also seeks to highlight the people, expertise, and operational systems that make Himalayan expeditions possible.
The programme features prominent national and international speakers including Conrad Anker, Justin Sackett, Ben Ayers, Dawa Yangzum Sherpa, Tenzin David Sherpa, Mingma David Sherpa, and Lakpa Sherpa, alongside expedition professionals from Nepal and abroad. A special ceremony will honour distinguished members of the Sherpa community for their contributions to mountaineering.
Keynote remarks will be delivered by Sarah Rogers, United States Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy, while Mike Harker, Public Affairs Chief at the U.S. Embassy Nepal, will present insights on the significance of Everest in fostering international collaboration. Renowned mountaineer Conrad Anker will deliver the closing address, sharing lessons from decades of Himalayan expeditions and global climbing leadership.
Among the featured discussions are “On the Mountain: Operations & Realities - Managing Everest on the Ground,” which examines the logistics behind Everest expeditions; “The People Who Lead: Guides, Training & Safety,” focusing on leadership and evolving safety practices; and “The Changing Face of Everest Tourism,” an interactive debate exploring accessibility, commercialisation, and the future of the Everest experience.
The summit also showcases Nepal's cultural and artistic connections to the mountains featuring Kabita Nepali’s dancing, Bashana Timilsina’s theatrical performance titled “Life on Everest,” and musical performances by Ujjan Shakya and Raju Lama.
Experiential exhibits include “The Yeti,” a large-scale sculpture created from approximately 90 kilograms of waste collected from Everest, highlighting environmental challenges facing the world's highest peak. Another installation, “A Day in a Climber's Life,” offers visitors an immersive glimpse into the realities of life and operations during high-altitude expeditions.
Organisers say participants will gain valuable insights into expedition logistics, guiding culture, rescue systems, technology, partnerships, tourism development, and athlete experiences from some of the industry's leading experts.
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