Beyond Everest Base Camp: Ethan’s Mission to Give Back
At just 15 years old, Ethan Ong did more than trek to Everest Base Camp—he made a powerful impact before even stepping foot on the trail. Ahead of his Rugged Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek and Stay, Ethan raised over $9,200 USD for the Tendi Sherpa Foundation, showing that generosity and purpose have no age limit.
Instead of just focusing on the adventure ahead, Ethan made a deliberate choice to give back to the communities that make journeys like his possible. His donation helps support the health, education, and livelihoods of Sherpa families across Nepal—and it speaks volumes about the kind of trekker he’s becoming.
Tell us about your experience on the Everest Base Camp trek. Why did you choose this adventure, and what has been your favorite moment?
The Everest Base Camp trek is a wonderful adventure. It’s been an amazing experience trekking through the foothills of the Himalayas – a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I chose this adventure to bond with my awesome dad, who really wanted to come to Nepal together.
My favorite moment was an acclimatization hike to the summit of Awi Peak (5,527 meters/17,149 feet).
Editor’s Note: Awi Peak is a lesser-known but stunning trekking peak in the Khumbu region of Nepal. Our Everest Base Camp trekkers sometimes step off the main trail to summit this gem under the guidance of Big Tendi, the Technical Director of the Nepal National Mountain Guide Association, who has been guiding and climbing in the Khumbu for over 30 years. The payoff? Unbeatable views of Himalayan icons like Ama Dablam, Everest, and Lhotse—without the crowds. It’s also a fantastic way to acclimatize and build confidence at higher altitudes, all in a wilder, more peaceful setting.
Why did you want to raise money to benefit the Nepalese people as part of your adventure? What do you hope will be achieved with those funds?
As someone born into a very fortunate family, I wanted to give back to the local community [in Nepal]. Trekking through the different unique villages, you can get a clear glimpse of the lives in the community, many of whom live in a lower economic [situation].
I found out that many families have lost their [primary] breadwinner to the unforgiving conditions of the Himalayas. Children are left with [limited] access to quality education, living in unsafe environments (e.g., an open flame used for cooking indoors), and are forced to take up potentially dangerous vocations to help support their families.
I had the great privilege of meeting Tendi Sherpa during my trek. His passion for giving back to the community was a source of great inspiration. With these funds, I hope that many Sherpa children and their families can live in safer conditions, [pursuing] education, and breaking free from the poverty cycle.
Our team had the opportunity to connect directly with Tendi Sherpa to gain insight into how the funds from Ethan will be utilized. Here’s what Tendi shared with us:
The funds will be used to purchase smokeless ovens in a remote village. To date, we have supported 250 households with smokeless ovens, and still, more villages have requested the ovens. People have open-fire kitchens in their homes, and most of the houses are filled with dense smoke that leads to huge health issues for the families, and the oven makes a huge difference.
Ethan’s funds will also go into the scholarship program that supports the students who have lost their fathers due to mountaineering. I started this program in January 2025, and we have selected nine students, but we will increase as more support is needed.
CTSS is committed to promoting sustainability, in all its forms, in the communities in which we climb and trek. Economic sustainability ensures that local communities benefit fairly from the mountaineering industry. This means supporting local guides, porters, and businesses by providing fair wages, investing in local infrastructure, and fostering responsible tourism that contributes to long-term economic stability.
Discover how your registration fees help empower local communities through education.
If Ethan’s story inspires you, too, to give, you can make a donation to the Tendi Sherpa Foundation here.