For Andy Pemberton, home has meant many different places and spaces throughout the years. He grew up on the East Coast and called North Boulder home for many years before moving to a 10-acre farm in Louisville, and he’ll proudly show you photos of his goats, mini donkeys, and Highland cows—Millie, Maisie, MacGregor, and Juno. Next month, he’ll head to Kathmandu to make home at Everest Base Camp.
This isn’t Pemberton’s first time in Nepal. In 2022, he summited Ama Dablam with his oldest son, Jack, and his little brother, Chris. That climb had everything he was looking for: it’s technically challenging and very vertical, but doesn’t require additional oxygen. Now, he’s going back to bring visibility and support to Nepal’s most vulnerable families with NIVAS in what he’s calling Project Ascend.
Pemberton joined the NIVAS board last February after learning about the non-profit from the builder running his renovation, Ken Storm. While picking out farmhouse finishes, Storm was able to perfectly demonstrate the large impact NIVAS can make with very little.
“He told me, ‘The cost of a house in Nepal is the cost of your front door,’” says Pemberton.
Storm and other Colorado-based architecture and construction professionals founded NIVAS after volunteering in rural Nepal over 12 years ago. NIVAS focuses on safe, permanent housing for women-led families, particularly single mothers, because this stability also improves their safety, health, and economic opportunities.
Today, NIVAS has helped over 2,500 people in 17 communities, and they do so by partnering with local people and organizations to ensure long-term impact. In addition to building physical structures, they also educate on land rights and provide professional training and seed money for businesses.
For Pemberton, it wasn’t a question of if he’d get involved but how he could be most impactful. He’s spent his career working in media and content and knows a good story when he sees one. To him, the best story is Everest, whether he summits or not.
He spent a long time thinking about this challenge and wanted to make sure he was doing it for the right reasons. At 58 years old, Pemberton realizes his window is closing. His kids are 26, 23, and 21, and he feels he has to train three times harder than them for similar results.
He’s also five and a half years sober and hopes this is inspirational for other people who are struggling with addiction. To him, year one was like checking a box, and after that, he needed some more direction. His climb in 2022 was year two, and it gave him a bigger purpose.
“I talk about it because it helps me in the process,” says Pemberton. “If I can share that, it keeps me moving in the right direction.”
He gives his wife, Margaret, a lot of credit in supporting him through this endeavor, even if she doesn’t love the risk involved. She knows the challenge has made him happy and gives him a sense of presence—and she’s also happy for him to rejoin her on the farm, which he affectionately refers to as her Everest.
To prepare for his climb, Pemberton has been testing his equipment on Longs Peak, summiting and overnighting in 20-below windchills. He’s also set up a ladder on his barn and climbs it in full gear with weights to try to prepare himself for the shock of doing it on Everest, fully exposed to the elements.
“Surprise is where some people panic,” says Pemberton.
On April 6, Pemberton leaves for Nepal with this big, audacious goal—and a whole community of people he’ll be supporting and spotlighting in the Makwanpur and Dang districts. He’ll trek to base camp with his family, and then he’ll acclimate until May 19, when his summit window begins.
Pemberton hopes to raise $100k with Project Ascend. Whether or not he summits Mt. Everest, these funds will make a huge impact in Nepal, building around 16 houses. Learn more about the expedition and donate to the cause at Nivas-Built.org/Project-Ascend.