Dave McNally:

My climbing career began in 1975 in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. I reside in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and am now employed with Exum Mountain Guides, the oldest, most prestigious guide service in north America. I am also a member of the American Mountain Guides Association. In 1988 I was invited to join the Wyoming Centennial Everest Expedition as expedition artist/climber. Since that time, I have organized expeditions around the world.

Highlights include:

1. Everest, Tibet
2. Gasherbrum II, Pakistan
3. Shisha Pangma, Tibet
4. Kangchenjunga, Nepal
5. Cho Oyu, Tibet
6. Ama Dablam, Nepal
7. Numbur, Nepal
8. Condoriri, Alpamayo Chico, Hyuana Potosi, Illimani, Bolivia
9. Denali, Alaska

I have also made multiple guided ascents of many of Nepal’s popular trekking peaks, including: Island Peak, Mera Peak, Lobuche, Pokalde, Chugima Ri, Parchamo, Yalung Ri, Chulu West, Peak 5880 (first ascent).

From 1989–2000 I was employed on the Snow King Ski Patrol in Jackson Wyoming and was the Patrol Director for several of those years. Patrol work has given me considerable additional experience in avalanche forecasting and advanced first-aid and rescue skills.

My other passion in life is painting and it blends very well with guiding. As an artist, I spend the time between trips, in my studio, producing oil paintings of the people and places I encounter during my mountaineering adventures. Art gives me a flexible schedule to travel and travel gives me the motivation and inpiration to paint.

Visit my art website at: www.sharplink.com/dave.

Ang Pemba Sherpa:

Ang Pemba Sherpa and I met, for the first time, in 1994 when I hired him to be base camp cook on our Shisha Pangma expedition. I could see that he was a very special person and we became good friends. Since then, we have traveled together in the mountains.

He was born and raised in Kerung, a small village in the Solo Khumbu region of Nepal. With hard work and good cheer, he climbed up through the ranks in the Nepali trekking business from porter, to kitchen boy, cook, guide and then climbing Sherpa. Now, as my partner, he is working as sirdar, or head Sherpa, overseeing the countless details that go into a successful trek or expedition.

Pemba, a certified guide of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, has been on countless treks and expeditions during his career. They include: Everest (multiple times), Shisha Pangma, Kangchenjunga, Cho Oyu, Dhauligiri I, Annapurna IV, Pumori and most of the popular trekking peaks in Nepal and several of the peaks in Wyoming's Tetons.

He now lives in Kathmandu with his wife, Yangji, and two children, Dorma and Dawa. I'm sure you will agree with me before our trip is over, that Pemba is a very special person!

Narayan Gurung and Gopal Gurung:

Narayan Gurung, is our head chef and a true artist. He is responsible for keeping us well fed and healthy. A big job!

Gopal Gurung is cook's assistant and so much more for our team. His unending enthusiasm and heart are a driving force behind the success of Mountain Odyssey.

The Mountain Odyssey Team (From right to left): Gopal, Pemba, Narayan