Jorge Egocheaga: a climber who moves between worlds and gives back
Jorge Egocheaga, born in Oviedo in 1968, learned early how to live with two homes without a jarring relocation. He spends spring and autumn in Nepal and the rest of the year back in Oviedo. In Nepal, home to some of the Himalayas’ most legendary peaks, climbing remains his deepest passion. Yet his life is not only about ascent. The Oviedo native dedicates himself to helping a very poor and isolated region by delivering medicine and clothing, and by organizing medical camps in the Makalu Valley, the fifth highest area on earth. He also supports a solidarity association called Joëlle Helps, which currently sponsors fifteen local children to study. He reminds people that his own daughters are studying at a university in Kathmandu, one nearing nursing completion and the other beginning her studies in the same field this year.
A few days ago, Egocheaga returned to Asturias for the winter, using the time to practice medicine in his office and to save funds for a return to what he calls his first home: Nepal. He shares that Nepal holds a profound place in his heart. His wife remains in his memories after passing away on the Makalu descent, yet he still feels at home in his family’s embrace in Oviedo while also carrying a strong connection to Nepal.
As one of the country’s most renowned climbers, Egocheaga considers climbing Manaslu, an eight-thousand-meter peak, far from extraordinary. He notes that not every achievement deserves fanfare; two years ago he reached the summit of Manaslu via a route he had already completed before, and this time his team achieved something unique: two summits being reached in tandem from the nearest towns, an accomplishment he describes as original and previously unseen.
He explains how these two feats unfolded: a September ascent of Manaslu began with a climb to the top from Samagaun, a remarkable single push, while a month earlier he reached Ama Dablam from Pamboche without pausing, returning alone to the town. He relates the memory to his Asturias upbringing, recalling childhood rides from Oviedo toward Peña Ubiña and Tuiza, climbing to the summit, and returning by bike. He wanted to recreate something from a small town with limited resources, a place where one can sleep in a shelter, live in a modest house, and still reach the summit. The ascent times were intensive—nineteen hours on Manaslu and nearly seven on Ama Dablam.
Beyond the climbs, his solidarity project involves four other Asturians. All income from his book, Maybe This Is Living, supports the cause, now published in eleven editions. The program sponsors children, funds education, and covers meals and medical expenses for those who must be hospitalized. The children often come from harsh conditions where public education is weak; some hail from the Makalu Valley, the region connected to the association’s namesake and the aspiration to study through age ten, after which they join the local working life, carrying loads while girls help at home and most boys become Sherpas.
The reality in these valleys is stark—five to six days on foot away from the nearest road, with a serious problem of alcoholism that causes liver cancer and early parental deaths leaving children orphaned. Egocheaga emphasizes the desire to build partnerships so the work continues beyond his personal contributions and book earnings. The mission has always lived on his own funds and proceeds from the book, and he hopes this stance will evolve, though the project remains steady and undivided from the original intent.
Back in Oviedo, the physician adjusts to a different rhythm, relying on tricks he has honed over years to switch between life in Spain and life in the high valleys. Upon arrival, he often begins work the next day without rest, embracing a fast-paced routine that leaves little time for reflection. He jokes about his efficiency, recounting an instance of arriving in the early evening and starting a consultation mere minutes later, a testament to his disciplined approach and the support of a well-oiled system.
Egocheaga’s story is more than a climbing resume. It is a testament to balancing perilous adventures with humanitarian commitment, a life lived across continents and communities. His efforts in Nepal and the story of Joëlle Helps show a man who uses his fame to lift others, turning mountaintop triumphs into means of education and health for children who need it most.