Lhakpa Sherpa Brings Everest Grit to Aspen Domestic Abuse Shelter

Response is betting big on a mountaineer to save the Upper Roaring Fork Valley’s only domestic abuse shelter network.

It sounds like a marketing gimmick — pairing a world-class athlete with a nonprofit — but the logic holds up for locals who understand that grit translates from mountain peaks to personal survival. On Aug. 13, Paepcke Auditorium in Aspen will host “Summit of Hope: An Evening with Lhakpa Sherpa.” Tickets go on sale Monday.

The premise is simple. Sherpa holds the world record for the most summits of Mount Everest by a woman: 11. She just hit that 11th peak a few months ago. Now, she’s bringing that same relentless drive to the issue of domestic and sexual abuse.

Response, the Basalt-based nonprofit, isn’t just selling a lecture. They’re selling a narrative of resilience. Executive Director Shannon Meyer says the event bridges two worlds locals love: the mountains and the struggle to rebuild a life after trauma.

“I thought, what a perfect person to speak to our cause and to the folks of Aspen because it’s combining this love of the mountains and this love of challenge and accomplishment with someone who has experienced what our nonprofit is meant to address,” Meyer said.

The evening includes a screening of the documentary “Mountain Queen,” starring Sherpa, followed by dialogue. Sherpa is currently pursuing a new goal: climbing all of the tallest peaks in the United States. But for this event, the focus is on her history as an abuse survivor. The profits go directly to Response; the only nonprofit in the Upper Roaring Fork Valley offering emergency shelter, housing assistance, advocacy, counseling support, prevention education, and crisis services for abuse survivors.

Make no mistake. This is the community’s financial lifeline.

Meyer’s inspiration came from a trek to Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal eight years ago. She watched “Mountain Queen” and realized Sherpa was the ideal advocate. It’s not just about climbing; it’s about the fortitude required to survive abuse and the strength to rebuild. That’s a story that resonates here. The people of Aspen and Basalt understand endurance. They understand the cost of failure.

The event is backed by solid local names. Presenting Benefactors include Meredith Loring and Sami Inkinen. Summit Sponsors are Alpine Bank and Mel and Adam Lewis. Community Sponsor is Bristlecone Mountain Sports.

Bristlecone will also sell outdoor gear raffle tickets online and in-store starting Monday. You can buy event tickets there too.

Visit responsehelps.org/events to secure your spot.

Sherpa’s story isn’t just about altitude. It’s about getting back up. Response needs that energy. The shelter network needs the funding. The community needs to show up.

Meyer calls it a “powerful and unforgettable evening.” That’s the pitch. Whether it delivers the funds and awareness needed to keep the doors open for survivors remains the real test. The tickets go on sale Monday. The clock starts then.