Krishna Thapa in a PHD Double Expedition Suit

A former Gurkha soldier, Krishna’s story is built on discipline, resilience and a considered approach to life. Since leaving the military, he has focused increasingly on meditation and mindset, developing what he calls the Warrior Monk philosophy: a balance of inner calm and practical strength. In the high mountains, where pressure and uncertainty are constant, that balance proves invaluable.

Much of Krishna’s recent work has centred on supporting ambitious expeditions. He is not someone who seeks the spotlight; instead, he tends to be found in the background, helping others achieve remarkable things. Nowhere is this more evident than in his long-standing collaboration with Hari Budha Magar.

Krishna has accompanied Hari on many expeditions around the world, contributing to one of the most notable mountaineering achievements of recent years: Hari becoming the first above-the-knee amputee to complete the Seven Summits. Success at that level depends on far more than individual determination. It requires a dependable team, careful planning, and people who can remain steady under pressure. Krishna has been a key part of that equation.

Alongside this support work, Krishna’s own mountaineering record is notable in its own right. During his military career, he served as leader of the SAS Mountain Troop, guiding a 13-strong team to the summit of Everest – the largest ever UK Special Forces and Gurkha summit team. He was also the first serving warrant officer to climb both Everest and K2, a rare achievement by any standard. Beyond climbing, his experience extends into high-altitude skiing: he has skied from the summits of Dhaulagiri and other 8000m peaks, operating in terrain where there is very little margin for error. Taken together, these experiences speak to a depth of skill and judgement that sits quietly behind his low-key manner.

Kit for extreme environments

Working in such demanding conditions requires equipment that performs without compromise. Krishna relies on PHD kit designed specifically for high altitude use, including the PHD Expedition Double Down Suit and the PHD K Series Hispar Sleeping Bag.

Krishna Thapa (left) visiting PHD's factory

The Expedition Double Suit stands apart from conventional designs. While warmth is obviously critical, so too is temperature regulation. Overheating during movement can be just as problematic as the cold itself. The flexibility of the Double Suit lies in its two-part construction: the outer layer can be removed to regulate temperature without removing a climbing harness – something that simply isn’t possible with a standard one-piece down suit. This ability to adapt quickly to changing conditions makes a tangible difference during long summit pushes or when transitioning between effort and rest.

Similarly, the K Series Hispar Sleeping Bag is built for serious cold environments, but with a strong emphasis on keeping weight to a minimum. In high altitude climbing, every gram matters. Reducing pack weight can conserve energy, improve efficiency, and ultimately increase safety. The Hispar range achieves an impressive warmth-to-weight ratio, providing reliable protection in extreme conditions without unnecessary bulk.

For Krishna, this balance of performance and practicality is essential. Equipment needs to work quietly and reliably in the background, allowing full focus to remain on the task at hand.

Supporting extraordinary journeys

Krishna’s partnership with Hari Budha Magar also reflects a broader aspect of PHD’s work. For Hari’s Seven Summits project, PHD designed and produced a bespoke down suit tailored specifically to his needs as an above-the-knee amputee. That suit was used across multiple expeditions, including Everest, and played an important role in enabling him to operate effectively at altitude.

Krishna Thapa (left) and Hari Budha Magar testing their PHD Double Down Suits.

This kind of adaptation is about attention to detail – understanding both the individual and the environment, then building equipment that suits both. It mirrors Krishna’s own approach: thoughtful, measured and focused on doing things properly.
A steady presence

Krishna Thapa may not be widely known outside mountaineering circles, but his influence is felt across a number of significant expeditions. His journey from Gurkha soldier to “Warrior Monk” is less about change and more about refinement – taking experience, simplifying it, and applying it with clarity.

In the end, his work sits comfortably in the mountains. These are places that reward patience, awareness and quiet determination. Krishna embodies all three: steady, capable, and consistently effective in some of the most challenging environments on earth.

More on Krishna's website.