The spark that fueled the creation of HIMALI was struck when co-founders Dave Schaeffer and Tendi Sherpa met at base camp while climbing Mount Aconcagua in Argentina. But the brand's true beginnings stretch back much farther and are rooted in the kindred spirits and aspirations of these two friends and business partners.
Dave’s climbing journey began at the local recreation center as a youth growing up in Colorado—a positive outlet that quickly grew into part of his identity. Tendi grew up in the remote village of Khembalung in eastern Nepal, where he pursued a career in mountaineering, summiting Mount Everest seventeen times and guiding climbers from across the globe.
Throughout his experiences, Tendi noticed a gap in the market for high-performance gear that both met climbers' functional needs and reflected the spirit of the mountains. His desire to create efficient, high-quality mountaineering gear melded with Dave's entrepreneurial nature and interest in pursuing business opportunities in the outdoor gear space.
"When I met Tendi, we bonded over a lot of things," says Dave. "One of them being quality climbing apparel that was made for mountaineers and gave back to the community."
"From the start, we've been committed to honoring the mountains and the people who call them home," says Tendi.
Officially founded in 2014, HIMALI began with a selection of tee shirts and one down jacket. Dave and Tendi initially used Kickstarter to gain momentum and organically grow their business, always maintaining their emphasis on authenticity, community, and creating ethically made products. Today, the brand offers a full suite of climbing apparel for a diverse range of treks, all inspired by the spirit of the world's highest peaks and the intrepid adventurers who set out to explore them.
"The fourteen 8,000-meter peaks have always served as a guiding light for our product design and brand ethos," says Dave. "It stands for wanting to do something seemingly larger than life, for having big goals and working hard to achieve them. If you love the outdoors and want to be the best version of yourself, you have a place in this community."
"What sets HIMALI apart is our deep connection to the mountains and the authenticity behind our brand," says Tendi. "Every product is designed and tested by people who live and breathe the challenges of high-altitude climbing."
This principle of community permeates every aspect of HIMALI. Born from friendship and fostered by relationships amongst an international community of mountain athletes, the brand has also been embraced by the city where Dave and Tendi chose to found HIMALI's first storefront.
"The community here shares our passion for exploration and sustainability, and Pearl Street provides a vibrant space where we can connect with people who love the outdoors as much as we do," says Tendi. "Being in Boulder allows us to foster relationships with climbers, hikers, and dreamers who inspire us to keep pushing boundaries."
As the HIMALI brand continues to grow, Dave and Tendi look forward to seeing their gear equip more and more adventurers as they work to achieve their goals. They are also proud to continue giving back to the communities close to their hearts, including supporting Himalayan locales and raising awareness of the region's culture and the challenges it faces. Their goals remain rooted in both their own ideals and the essence of climbing itself.
"Climbing teaches me humility and perseverance—it’s not just a physical challenge, but a spiritual journey," says Tendi. "HIMALI represents that same journey, combining purpose with passion to create something meaningful."
To learn more, visit Himali.com