How Our Roots Were Planted in Sonoma
For generations, the Sherpa people lived humble lives in the high Himalayas, cultivating potatoes, buckwheat, and turnips, and trading with Tibetan merchants across rugged mountain trails. Everything changed in 1953, when the world first turned its eyes to the Sherpas during the historic ascent of Mt. Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa. Their legendary strength and mountaineering skills gave rise to a flourishing trekking and climbing industry in Nepal—opening the doors to new connections with climbers from around the world, including many Americans.
It was through these connections that, in the early 1990s, Chhiring Sherpa found his way to Sonoma. While working as a trekking guide in Nepal, he formed friendships with American travelers who invited him to visit this peaceful corner of Northern California. Inspired by the beauty and opportunities of the area, Chhiring made Sonoma his new home.
A few years later, Ongda Sherpa—also a trekking guide—followed a similar path to the United States. After winning the Diversity Visa (DV) lottery, he joined Chhiring in Sonoma. Not long after, their friend Ngima Sherpa, who had been living in Colorado, also relocated to Sonoma to reunite with his close companions. The three settled in Glen Ellen and became the first Sherpas to establish roots in the area.
As time passed, they slowly began inviting family members, helping them settle into this new and welcoming place. Word of opportunity, safety, and community spirit spread—gradually shaping a growing Sherpa community in Sonoma.
Today, what started with three friends has grown into a vibrant community of over 30 Sherpa families. More than 20 children have been born here, calling Sonoma their true home. In 2011, the Himalayan Sherpa Club was founded to preserve and celebrate the culture, language, and traditions of the Sherpa people. It stands not only as a symbol of their journey but also as a gift to the younger generation—a way for them to stay connected to their heritage while thriving in a new land.
The Sherpa spirit—resilient, kind, and deeply rooted in culture—continues to flourish in Sonoma, bridging the high mountains of Nepal with the rolling hills of California.
Featured in Sonoma Magazine – Fall 2011"
Chhiring Sherpa, Ongda Sherpa, and Ngima Sherpa—pioneers of the Sherpa community in Sonoma—were honored in the Fall 2011 edition of Sonoma Magazine, under the “Faces of Sonoma” section. Written by Kate Williams and photographed by Robbi Pengelly, their story highlighted the journey of these three men from the mountains of Nepal to the peaceful hills of Sonoma. As the first Sherpas to settle in the area, their resilience, hard work, and dedication helped lay the foundation for a growing Sherpa community that continues to thrive today.
