The Sherpas on Everest

Avalanches kill more Himalayan climbers than any other hazard. The places where avalanches have been are sometimes marked by huge ice boulders making the debris flow. The boulders that are big enough to stick above the fresh snow, refrigerator and TV sized being common. Near the top of the Ice Fall the path takes a quick jog under a steep and calving ice face. The fixed lines are anchored to the base of several large ice blocks. It is places like this that we move as fast as our aching legs, hearts and lungs will allow.

Our team is carefully planning our trips through the ice fall. The hope is to keep it below four round trips or eight total. All told after yesterday I have been through this ugly place on 22 adrenaline filled journeys. I have already done two with the Sherpas this season. Unfortunately for the Sherpas they don't have the luxury of holding the number down, minimizing exposure. They will go through once every three days for the next month, effectively eclipsing my three seasons in one with equal or greater risk. It is no wonder that more Sherpas die than any other group on the mountain.

We eventually arrived in Camp I where the Sherpas decided to call it a day. The winds were too strong and temperature too low to continue on to Camp II. I was happy for the company on the descent as I had never planned to go that whole way all at once. As the Sherpas buffed out our Camp I, I ducked into a tent to take my boots off, warm my feet and get the cameras working again. In the end I was able to shoot again for the descent.

The Sherpas love what they do and take great pride in their role. They seem to take on the same celebrity air that our own sports heroes do at home. The ones who live do well in their communities and the West's infatuation with Everest has made them wealthy. I think that the best we can do is honor and respect their role in our expeditions. They are the best climbing partners we will ever have.