Summit To Sea
Menu
DONATE NOW
Menu
DONATE NOW
DONATE NOW
Menu

Our Team

Our Team

Chandra B Ale :

Founder & Director, Initiative Outdoor

Chandra B Ale :

Founder & Director, Initiative Outdoor
Project Message :

Since the late 1980s, I have dedicated my life to living and working in the outdoors trekking through the Everest, Annapurna, Manasalu, Ganesh Himal and Langtang regions, guiding rivers since 1992, and completing historic first descents of Nepal’s Maha Kali and Upper Seti rivers in 1999. My professional journey has taken me beyond Nepal as well, rafting in Japan and Canada, ice climbing in Norway and climbing in the United States. Much of my expertise comes from the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in Wyoming, USA, where I learned how outdoor education can transform lives.

These experiences, combined with my work as a lead instructor for Rescue 3 International, Sierra Rescue International, and SOLO Wilderness Medicine, showed me how deeply safety, professionalism, and personal growth are valued in other countries. I realized Nepal’s youth and tourism industry deserved the same opportunities. With this vision, I established Initiative Outdoor in 2003, to provide world-class outdoor education and leadership development in Nepal.

Through Summit to Sea, we carry forward this mission. Our programs immerse participants in Nepal’s most rugged and beautiful landscapes, where they develop technical and leadership skills, foster resilience, and cultivate a deep respect for nature. From the highest mountains to the wildest rivers, the project highlights the interconnectedness of our ecosystems and the urgent need to protect them.

CHANDRA B ALE

DIRECTOR

Since the late 1980s, I have dedicated my life to living and working in the outdoors trekking through the Everest, Annapurna, Manasalu, Ganesh Himal and Langtang regions, guiding rivers since 1992, and completing historic first descents of Nepal’s Maha Kali and Upper Seti rivers in 1999. My professional journey has taken me beyond Nepal as well, rafting in Japan and Canada, ice climbing in Norway and climbing in the United States. Much of my expertise comes from the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in Wyoming, USA, where I learned how outdoor education can transform lives.

These experiences, combined with my work as a lead instructor for Rescue 3 International, Sierra Rescue International, and SOLO Wilderness Medicine, showed me how deeply safety, professionalism, and personal growth are valued in other countries. I realized Nepal’s youth and tourism industry deserved the same opportunities. With this vision, I established Initiative Outdoor in 2003, to provide world-class outdoor education and leadership development in Nepal.

Through Summit to Sea, we carry forward this mission. Our programs immerse participants in Nepal’s most rugged and beautiful landscapes, where they develop technical and leadership skills, foster resilience, and cultivate a deep respect for nature. From the highest mountains to the wildest rivers, the project highlights the interconnectedness of our ecosystems and the urgent need to protect them.

CHANDRA B ALE

DIRECTOR

Nepal’s mountains and rivers are more than just adventure destinations they are the lifeblood of our culture, our communities and our future. Yet they face unprecedented threats from climate change, overuse, and pollution. If we fail to protect them now, the very essence of who we are will be lost. That is why Summit to Sea is not only about adventure, but also about stewardship teaching young leaders to safeguard rivers and mountains while discovering their own potential. At Initiative Outdoor, our mission remains clear: to raise adventure standards in Nepal while inspiring the next generation of leaders to preserve our natural heritage. Together, we can ensure that the wild beauty of this country continues to flow from the summit of Everest to the seas beyond.

“These mountains and rivers have shaped my life. From the highest peaks of Nepal to the wildest bends of its rivers, they remind us of one truth: water is life shared, precious and fragile. Like the river, all things change and all beings are connected. This journey is my vow to walk with respect, to share what I have learned, and to care for the earth with compassion. Together, we can protect our planet, support our communities and leave every place better for those who come after us.”

Nepal’s mountains and rivers are more than just adventure destinations they are the lifeblood of our culture, our communities and our future. Yet they face unprecedented threats from climate change, overuse, and pollution. If we fail to protect them now, the very essence of who we are will be lost. That is why Summit to Sea is not only about adventure, but also about stewardship teaching young leaders to safeguard rivers and mountains while discovering their own potential. At Initiative Outdoor, our mission remains clear: to raise adventure standards in Nepal while inspiring the next generation of leaders to preserve our natural heritage. Together, we can ensure that the wild beauty of this country continues to flow from the summit of Everest to the seas beyond.

“These mountains and rivers have shaped my life. From the highest peaks of Nepal to the wildest bends of its rivers, they remind us of one truth: water is life shared, precious and fragile. Like the river, all things change and all beings are connected. This journey is my vow to walk with respect, to share what I have learned, and to care for the earth with compassion. Together, we can protect our planet, support our communities and leave every place better for those who come after us.”

Ang Tshering Lama :

Founder, Angs himalayas Adventure (AHA)

Ang Tshering Lama :

Founder, Angs himalayas Adventure (AHA)
Project Message :

Ang Tshering Lama grew up in the small mountain village of Batase, in Nepal’s Nuwakot District, about 30 kilometers north of Kathmandu. Surrounded by hills and rivers. After completing his schooling in Darjeeling, High schooling in Assam (north east) and enginnering from down south, Ang realized his true passion lay not in offices but in the outdoors.

He developed a deep connection with nature from an early age. Following his heart, he became a full-time mountain guide and outdoor adventurer, dedicated to exploration, leadership and conservation. Over the years, Ang has guided and explored across Nepal, India, Tibet, Bhutan, Pakistan, Iceland, Switzerland and the United States. He has climbed Mt. Everest (Chomolungma) five times and Denali, North America’s tallest peak, four times. An all-around adventurer, he has biked over 1,000 kilometers from Lhasa to Kathmandu twice, rafted the Grand Canyon for 16 days likely the first Nepali to do so and is an experienced solo paraglider.

In 2013, Ang worked with National Geographic and Peter Athans on the acclaimed “Secrets of the Sky Tombs” PBS NOVA documentary, exploring ancient cliff caves in Upper Mustang, Nepal. Following the 2015 earthquake, he played a vital role in rescue operations and rebuilding schools in remote communities.A defining moment came in 2017, when Ang led a life-saving rescue at 8,600 meters on Mt. Everest, one of the highest altitude rescues ever recorded. In 2019, he trained, fundraised for and guided two Everest widows to the summit, a powerful journey of healing, resilience and empowerment. 

Ang Tshering Lama

DIRECTOR

Ang Tshering Lama grew up in the small mountain village of Batase, in Nepal’s Nuwakot District, about 30 kilometers north of Kathmandu. Surrounded by hills and rivers. After completing his schooling in Darjeeling, High schooling in Assam (north east) and enginnering from down south, Ang realized his true passion lay not in offices but in the outdoors.

He developed a deep connection with nature from an early age. Following his heart, he became a full-time mountain guide and outdoor adventurer, dedicated to exploration, leadership and conservation. Over the years, Ang has guided and explored across Nepal, India, Tibet, Bhutan, Pakistan, Iceland, Switzerland and the United States. He has climbed Mt. Everest (Chomolungma) five times and Denali, North America’s tallest peak, four times. An all-around adventurer, he has biked over 1,000 kilometers from Lhasa to Kathmandu twice, rafted the Grand Canyon for 16 days likely the first Nepali to do so and is an experienced solo paraglider.

In 2013, Ang worked with National Geographic and Peter Athans on the acclaimed “Secrets of the Sky Tombs” PBS NOVA documentary, exploring ancient cliff caves in Upper Mustang, Nepal. Following the 2015 earthquake, he played a vital role in rescue operations and rebuilding schools in remote communities.A defining moment came in 2017, when Ang led a life-saving rescue at 8,600 meters on Mt. Everest, one of the highest altitude rescues ever recorded. In 2019, he trained, fundraised for and guided two Everest widows to the summit, a powerful journey of healing, resilience and empowerment. 

Ang Tshering Lama

DIRECTOR

In 2021, he co-led a special Everest Base Camp trek for the U.S. fitness company iFit, which was later nominated for an Emmy Award for its inspiring storytelling.
 
Beyond adventure, Ang is devoted to education and community development, helping children in remote villages access schooling and life-changing opportunities. Through his Summit to Sea Project, he advocates for environmental awareness and the interconnection between mountains, rivers, and oceans, reminding us that the health of our planet’s highest peaks affects its deepest seas. As part of the International Outdoor School Program, Ang shares his vast experience with young people, teaching them to explore safely, respect nature, work as a team, and discover their own strength through the transformative power of the outdoors.
 
“The sacred spirit of the mountains and rivers has taught me humility, courage, and compassion. The mountains are living teachers, reminding us of our deep bond with nature and our shared responsibility to protect it. Through the Summit to Sea Project, I am devoted to safeguarding these wild places, uplifting the communities that thrive among them, and inspiring others to walk gently on this earth-so together, we may honor and preserve the enduring spirit of Mother Nature.”
In 2021, he co-led a special Everest Base Camp trek for the U.S. fitness company iFit, which was later nominated for an Emmy Award for its inspiring storytelling.
 
Beyond adventure, Ang is devoted to education and community development, helping children in remote villages access schooling and life-changing opportunities. Through his Summit to Sea Project, he advocates for environmental awareness and the interconnection between mountains, rivers, and oceans, reminding us that the health of our planet’s highest peaks affects its deepest seas. As part of the International Outdoor School Program, Ang shares his vast experience with young people, teaching them to explore safely, respect nature, work as a team, and discover their own strength through the transformative power of the outdoors.
 
“The sacred spirit of the mountains and rivers has taught me humility, courage, and compassion. The mountains are living teachers, reminding us of our deep bond with nature and our shared responsibility to protect it. Through the Summit to Sea Project, I am devoted to safeguarding these wild places, uplifting the communities that thrive among them, and inspiring others to walk gently on this earth-so together, we may honor and preserve the enduring spirit of Mother Nature.”

Nishan Adhikari :

Outdoor Educator | Adventure photographer

Nishan Adhikari :

Outdoor Educator | Adventure photographer
Project Message :
Nishan grew up in the foothills of the Nepali Himalayas, west of Pokhara – a place where the rivers run with power and the mountains stand as silent teachers. From a young age, he watched his world transform. Rivers that once flowed untamed were held back by dams. Glaciers that once fed them began to fade and the mountains he admired started to change under the weight of a warming climate.
 
Seasons lost their rhythm. The familiar landscapes of his childhood no longer looked the same. Those early changes left a lasting mark on him or They taught him that nature is both strong and vulnerable resilient, yet fragile and that its future depends on the choices we make today. Nishan’s relationship with the outdoors began with his family. Rafting, kayaking, trekking, and climbing were never just adventures; they were lessons in humility, respect, and courage.
 
His father, Chandra and his uncle, Ang, were his greatest mentors – men whose compassion and spirit shaped the foundation of his life. From them, he inherited not only a love for wild places but also a deep awareness an intuitive understanding that every journey, every challenge, and every encounter with nature carries meaning. They taught him to listen to the rhythm of the rivers, the silence of the mountains, and the heartbeat of the Earth itself. The wilderness became his greatest teacher. It taught Nishan discipline, patience, and purpose. 
 
 

Nishan Adhikari

OUTDOOR EDUCATOR

Nishan grew up in the foothills of the Nepali Himalayas, west of Pokhara – a place where the rivers run with power and the mountains stand as silent teachers. From a young age, he watched his world transform. Rivers that once flowed untamed were held back by dams. Glaciers that once fed them began to fade and the mountains he admired started to change under the weight of a warming climate.
 
Seasons lost their rhythm. The familiar landscapes of his childhood no longer looked the same. Those early changes left a lasting mark on him or They taught him that nature is both strong and vulnerable resilient, yet fragile and that its future depends on the choices we make today. Nishan’s relationship with the outdoors began with his family. Rafting, kayaking, trekking, and climbing were never just adventures; they were lessons in humility, respect, and courage.
 
His father, Chandra and his uncle, Ang, were his greatest mentors – men whose compassion and spirit shaped the foundation of his life. From them, he inherited not only a love for wild places but also a deep awareness an intuitive understanding that every journey, every challenge, and every encounter with nature carries meaning. They taught him to listen to the rhythm of the rivers, the silence of the mountains, and the heartbeat of the Earth itself. The wilderness became his greatest teacher. It taught Nishan discipline, patience, and purpose. 
 
 

Nishan Adhikari

OUTDOOR EDUCATOR

It showed him that adventure is not about thrill or conquest, but about connection a way to understand ourselves and our place in the natural world. For him, true leadership begins when we learn to care- when we see nature not as a backdrop for adventure, but as a living, breathing system that sustains us all.

Whenever we enter the wild to paddle, climb, or walk we inherit the values of those who came before us: respect, stewardship, and responsibility. These values are what transform exploration into leadership and adventure into purpose. Summit to Sea carries that belief forward. It is not only about the mountains and rivers of Nepal — it is about the shared responsibility we hold toward a planet facing rapid environmental change. The outdoors remains our most powerful classroom – a place that teaches resilience, empathy and hope.

Some experiences challenge us Others leave us in awe. And the ones that do both? Well, they’re life-changing

It showed him that adventure is not about thrill or conquest, but about connection a way to understand ourselves and our place in the natural world. For him, true leadership begins when we learn to care- when we see nature not as a backdrop for adventure, but as a living, breathing system that sustains us all.

Whenever we enter the wild to paddle, climb, or walk we inherit the values of those who came before us: respect, stewardship, and responsibility. These values are what transform exploration into leadership and adventure into purpose. Summit to Sea carries that belief forward. It is not only about the mountains and rivers of Nepal — it is about the shared responsibility we hold toward a planet facing rapid environmental change. The outdoors remains our most powerful classroom – a place that teaches resilience, empathy and hope.

Some experiences challenge us Others leave us in awe. And the ones that do both? Well, they’re life-changing