HOT TOPIC


In the West, the word ‘Sherpa’ has


come to mean a kind of glorified mountain porter. Having intimate knowledge of the Himalayas has made Sherpas the obvious choice to guide global teams of climbers. Yet they’ve been involved in four times more climbing accidents than Westerners. One reason for this is that some of the Sherpas used in expeditions are farmers from lowland regions, so aren’t naturally accustomed to mountain conditions. Plus they do most of the legwork,


oſten assisting amateur bucket-list climbers. Sherpas, who are required to carry their client’s gear, cover many more miles, lugging equipment, fastening ropes, setting up the camps and preparing the trail each season. It’s a high-risk occupation but the


financial rewards for guiding are, for many, hard to resist. Prue Smith, general manager of the Himalayan Trust, tells me: “Working as a guide does pay reasonably well in the Nepali context. Many people work as a guide as a means to provide for their family’s future — to fund education for their children and grandchildren.” The Himalayan Trust, set up by


Sir Edmund Hillary in the 1960s, is a nonprofit humanitarian organisation the works to improve the health, education and general wellbeing of people living in the Everest region. It aims to provide opportunities for young Sherpas living in poverty and set them on to a path towards a safer, more secure livelihood. Sherpas earn, on average, just £3,000- £7,000 a year, and responsible tourism organisations are increasingly asking travellers to question what Sherpas typically have to do for this wage. The first known casualties on Everest


were seven Sherpas working as part of Britain’s 1922 expedition. In total, 114 Nepalis have lost their lives on Everest; 43 of those deaths occurred in the past 10 years. In extreme cases, Western climbers have abandoned their guides on the mountain. Just this May, Sherpa Lam Babu died on Everest aſter he was reportedly leſt behind by four Ukrainian climbers. The group had been sponsored by ASKfm to scale the mountain as a publicity stunt and deposit a wallet containing $50,000 of the social media giant’s newly launched cryptocurrency at the top, daring the public to make the climb to claim the


20 natgeotraveller.co.uk


Prayer flags at Everest Base Camp


Q A&


WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP? “Support well-managed, community development work, such as education as a route out of poverty, investing in health and income-generating opportunities for local communities.” Prue Smith himalayantrust.org


HOW CAN I MAKE MY MONEY COUNT? Along with tipping your Sherpa, consider donating to charities that help facilitate porters’ safe treatment and education. portersprogressuk.org


SHOULD I BE CLIMBING AT ALL? The Himalayas is home to 13 other mountains over 8,000 metres. “While it’s understandable that climbing Everest is on many people’s bucket list, well-managed tourism could see other spectacular trekking routes developed to spread the tourism dollar to more communities.” Prue Smith.


WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I WITNESS POOR CONDITIONS FOR PORTERS? Contact tourismconcern.org.uk


prize. But when conditions on the mountain took a turn for the worse, the team allegedly fled, leaving their three Sherpas behind. Babu never returned. Although weather conditions on


Everest — which can change quickly — are impossible to control, there are steps expedition teams can take to minimise risk. Before you book, check your travel company is paying porters fairly, and ask if they are adequately insured against accident and injury. Also check your Sherpas will be carrying no more than the maximum legal limit of 25kg of equipment. Finally, ensure guides have decent sleeping conditions, gear and footwear. And consider supporting Sherpa


communities beyond your trip through donations to local charities. Porters’ Progress, for example, helps to facilitate the safe treatment, and education of porters and their communities. On return, unwanted climbing kit can be sold via the charity’s eBay page. “Access to education is the key to


unlocking opportunities other than high-risk work as climbing guides,” says Prue Smith, of the Himalayan Trust. “With education in the region, local people are employed as doctors, teachers, health workers, or work running lodges and trekking companies,” says Smith.


IMAGE: GETTY


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