Standing at 29,029 feet, Mt. Everest is the world’s tallest mountain. Every year, the Himalayan massif attracts hundreds of daring climbers from around the world to embark on a 9-week journey to the mountain’s summit. Today we’ll learn how international mountaineers rely on an efficient network of Nepalese Sherpa to get the job done.
Who Are The Sherpa?
The Sherpa people are an ethnic group, the majority of whom live in the eastern Himalayan Mountains of Nepal’s Khumbu region. Known for their skills navigating high altitude mountains, climbers have relied on Sherpas for over 100 years. From setting ropes to delivering supplies, Sherpas are an integral part of the journey to Everest’s peak.
Virtually every climber who has braved this grueling trek has trusted a host of Sherpa guides to get him to the top of the mountain. Tenzing Norgay—a Sherpa guide—originally accompanied Sir Edmund Hillary to the top of Everest. Hillary asserted of Sherpas, “The Sherpas play a very important role in most mountaineering expeditions, and in fact many of them lead along the ridges and up to the summit.”
So what does a hike to the top of the world’s tallest mountain look like?
Making The Ascent
During the nine-week expedition to summit, climbers acclimate to Mt. Everest’s extreme altitude by slowly making their way through four separate base camps before attempting the summit. To keep these camps supplied, Sherpa porters carry close to 100 pounds of gear on their backs to guarantee the expedition has everything it needs to complete the journey.
When climbers arrive at the first base camp (elevation 17,598 ft.), they spend a few days getting all of their gear in order and planning their route. While at Base Camp 1, Sherpa guides meticulously check the oxygen tanks, ropes, and other climbing supplies to ensure the safety of their patrons. After spending some days acclimating at the first base camp, Sherpa guides and their clients will set out for Base Camp 2 (elevation 21,500 ft.). During this journey, Sherpa guides will install fixed ropes and ladders across the treacherous Khumbu Icefall. Here, Sherpa guides rely on technical expertise to safely cross a labyrinth of ice, considered by many seasoned climbers to be the most dangerous segment of the trek.
Next, climbers will continue on to Base Camp 3 (elevation 22,300 ft.) where they will spend time adapting to the high elevation and frigid cold. At this altitude, climbers are likely to experience some degree of elevation sickness due to the lack of oxygen. Finally, climbers depart for a grueling push to Base Camp 4 (elevation 26,000 ft.). This is the final base camp before making the summit. Appropriately named “The Death Zone,” climbers who reach Base Camp 4 run a high risk of developing pulmonary edema—a deadly lung condition—due to lack of oxygen.
If weather permits, climbers will depart early the following morning to reach the mountain’s summit. Sherpa guides depart first, ensuring that fixed ropes are set and that conditions are ideal for the summit. Clients follow slowly behind, reaching the top of the mountain after an arduous 10-12 hour push.
Cost To Climb
While most of us have little desire to undergo 9 weeks of brutal alpine trekking, adventurers who are keen on summiting Everest pay upwards of $60,000 to join a guided expedition. In addition, climbers are expected to have years of mountaineering experience under their belts before attempting the epic summit.
Everest is a must for passionate mountaineers -- at least, it is for those willing to part with a small fortune. However, their success largely hinges on the commitment of their Sherpa team and the well-oiled protocol and supply routes that they’ve established. Their dedication, expertise, and knowledge of the route ensure that climbers are provided with everything they need to complete a triumphant summit of the world’s tallest mountain.
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