Today we’d like to introduce you to Pema And Nurbu Sherpa.
Hi Pema and Nurbu, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After COVID, Nurbu and I traveled throughout Nepal with one goal: to support small local businesses that had been devastated by the pandemic. During that journey, we unexpectedly met the Musahar community, one of the most marginalized and discriminated-against groups in Nepal. The word “Musahar” literally means “mouse eater,” reflecting the deep stigma they have endured for generations.
Seeing children walking barefoot, many with little or no clothing, living in extreme poverty, was heartbreaking. Even more difficult was learning that many families believed this was simply the life they were destined to live—that there was no hope for anything different.
We couldn’t walk away and pretend we hadn’t seen it. That experience changed us.
It inspired us to open High Camp with a purpose beyond serving food. Our restaurant helps support educational and community programs for Musahar children and families. We believe every child deserves the opportunity to learn, dream, and build a better future, regardless of the circumstances they were born into. High Camp exists not only to share our culture but also to help create hope and opportunity for a community that has been overlooked for far too long.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. We opened High Camp toward the end of the COVID pandemic in a small mountain town, so there were plenty of uncertainties. Fortunately, we were incredibly blessed by the support of our local community. People embraced our food, became loyal customers, and believed in the mission behind our restaurant.
Still, there were many challenges. We came from healthcare backgrounds—not business—and English is our fifth language. Running a restaurant meant learning everything from scratch while navigating a completely different industry. Like many small restaurant businesses, finding and keeping great employees has also been difficult.
One thing that has shaped our journey is our belief that employees are more than just workers. Coming from a Buddhist philosophy of compassion and interconnectedness, we try to see people as family. Many of our employees came from different backgrounds and faced personal struggles, so at times we found ourselves being mentors, counselors, and a source of support in addition to being employers.
That approach has brought its own challenges, but it has also been one of the most rewarding parts of our journey. We’ve built meaningful relationships, learned from one another, and watched people grow in confidence and skills. Looking back, those experiences have been just as valuable as building the business itself.
As you know, we’re big fans of High Camp . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Pema Sherpa
I am a registered dental hygienist, and one of the most rewarding parts of my career has been helping patients become healthier, one person at a time. Beyond providing dental care, I value building meaningful one-on-one relationships with my patients and feel grateful to have been a small part of their lives. As a traveling dental hygienist, I had the opportunity to work in many different communities across the United States, gaining experience with diverse populations while seeing different parts of the country.
Outside of my profession, I am passionate about expanding educational opportunities for children in Nepal. Through our nonprofit work, I have helped support and encourage motivated students from underserved communities to stay in school because I believe education has the power to transform lives and create opportunities for future generations.
Nurbu Sherpa
Nurbu has dedicated much of his career to caring for others. As a home health caregiver, he worked closely with a quadriplegic client, helping improve the client’s quality of life while forming a deep, meaningful relationship built on trust and compassion. He takes great pride in making a lasting difference in the lives of those he serves.
In addition to his caregiving work, Nurbu has taught Taekwondo to children, using martial arts to build confidence, discipline, and respect. He has also led high school and college students on educational service trips to Nepal, introducing them to a different culture while inspiring a spirit of volunteerism and global citizenship.
Together, we are most proud of building careers centered on service. Whether caring for patients, mentoring young people, or creating educational opportunities in Nepal, our goal has always been to improve lives through compassion, connection, and community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Pema Sherpa
Bad luck shaped my childhood. I lost my only brother when I was seven years old. The grief devastated my parents, who both fell into deep depression and later contracted tuberculosis. At that time, there was little awareness of or treatment for mental health conditions in Nepal. To give my parents time to recover, my aunt took me in for two years. During that time, I was expected to take on responsibilities far beyond my age. I learned discipline, independence, and resilience while constantly worrying whether my parents would survive. Fortunately, after two years, my parents regained their health, and our family was reunited.
The greatest stroke of good luck in my life came through an incredible act of generosity. Growing up, my dream was to come to the United States, earn an education, build a career, and support my parents. I also wanted to challenge the traditional belief in many parts of Asia that only sons are responsible for—or capable of—caring for their parents. That dream became a reality when my father’s client and friend, Sharon Overbey, generously sponsored me to come to the United States after I completed 10th grade in Nepal. She gave me the opportunity to attend high school, continue my education, and build a future I could never have imagined. That single opportunity changed the course of my life forever.
Nurbu Sherpa
For Nurbu, the greatest stroke of good luck was being able to come to the United States at age 16. Although it had always been his dream, his family wanted him to study in India instead. Determined to pursue his own path, he worked as a trekking guide in Nepal, saved every dollar he could, and came to America with just $300 in his pocket and a dream. Looking back, he considers that opportunity one of the greatest blessings of his life.
Nurbu says he has been fortunate not to experience any major personal bad luck. Instead, his life has been shaped by perseverance, hard work, and opportunities that came from taking risks.
Our Business
Our business has experienced both extraordinary good fortune and significant challenges.
One of our biggest lucky breaks came when Guy Fieri visited High Camp Taphouse and featured us on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. The exposure introduced us to a national audience and transformed our business. We continue to welcome visitors from across the country—including the East Coast—who tell us they discovered us after seeing us on the show.
Like many small businesses, we’ve also faced our share of bad luck. Our furnace failed in the middle of winter, forcing us to close for two weeks during an already slow season. Wildfire smoke has impacted summer tourism, unusually dry winters have reduced visitor traffic, and finding reliable employees has been an ongoing challenge in a small mountain town with a limited workforce and a high cost of living. Despite these setbacks, we’ve remained resilient and continue to move forward, grateful for the unwavering support of our community and customers.
Pricing:
- Appetizers: $10–15
- Main Courses: $19–27 .
- Beer, Cider & Non-Alcoholic Drinks: $5–7
- We strive to offer generous portions of authentic Himalayan cuisine made with fresh ingredients at affordable prices for families, travelers, and the local community
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.highcamptaphouse.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/high.camp.taphouse/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/highcamptaphouse
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/high-camp-taphouse-sisters
