Mount Everest lures every mountaineer – that’s not surprising. Every year, many foreigners reach atop the world’s highest peak, return their countries with fanfare and become heroes. Every year, a few films are made on Everest – and they are popular. Every year, a few books are published, and they are best sellers.
Among all these celebrations and buzzes around the world, there are quiet Sherpas. Every year, more Sherpas summit Everest than foreigner altogether. Yet, when they return home quietly, their family, almost always, ask them to stop because Everest is too dangerous.
I have heard people saying, if you have enough money to keep Sherpas happy, then they will virtually carry you to the top. Apa Sherpa had summated 17 times, Pemba Sherpa reached the top thrice within nine days this season, and there are many Sherpas who had climbed to the top more than five times.
Yet, Sherpas do not get credit they deserve.
In almost every films made, Sherpas are almost absent once they mountaineers leaves the base-camp. In every documentary, the role of Sherpa is to cook food and carry loads.
Yesterday, I had an opportunity to hear Kami Sherpa – the Nepal Television cameraman who summated the peak for third time. The second Nepali journalist atop Everest (first being my colleague Ang Chhiring Sherpa who recently launched his book Dateline Chomolungma) looked sad on all these issues.
Who wouldn’t?
Apa Sherpa led an expedition this year with all Nepali Sherpa climbers called Super Sherpa Expedition and filmed a documentary. His aim: to tell the world about Sherpas and their contribution in each Everest expedition.
“Since we are a lot, we can’t hope much financial support from the government,” Kami told the journalists other day. “What we ask is the identity card as the Everest summiteers and insurance for Sherpas.” His demands are okay as government charged US$ 70,000 per expedition.
Let’s hope Sherpas get their credit and support!
0 responses to “Mount Everest, Sherpas and Foreigners!”
It’s true that recognition Sherpa’s recieves in comparison to foreign people is unfair. But it’s also true that in Nepal the foreigners wont be recognized much, it’s just in their home country they are treated hero. It’s like “नजिकको देउतालाई हेंला गरेको”. I believe there would be more buzz in Nepal if someone (Nepali) swims Swiss Canal than climb Mt. Everest.
When I introduce myself that I’m from Nepal among all the stupid questions I get, people have asked me if I’m a Sherpa. So, Sherpa’s are fairly recognized abroad. But recognition alone wont survive you unless your finanacial burden burden are relieved.
I think some mountaineers know about the unfairness and tried to give their Sherpas more credit and set up charities to support them. But its true that they are still often poorly paid and treated like peons. Is there a Sherpas union? In some ways Sherpas are like Gurkhas in the UK army. Both are recognised more but not properly financially rewarded.
Started surfing net for some news regarding Nepali cricket (I proudly declare myself to be one of the biggest fans of this sport),and ended up with a blog run by someone known … Ujjwal dai who was senior to me in my school…it felt so nice …
I think Sherpas are very well recognized by those who know mountaineering but it is our government that is not paying enough attention to them (Is there any field Mr. prime minister and his co. is paying attention to besides themselves?…ummm..can’t find any…please tell me some…).
Yes, they should be provided the identity card as the Everest summiteers and insurance and if possible help them financially.
wish u all the best for ur blog and for ur career as a successful journalist.
Thinking to see Mt. Evertest from Namche in One day : Its my dream and every-nepali should have the same dream to promote our beauty and natural gift promotional camp through ourselves….. I think Domestic Tourism should be promoted……….any way!!!! Just thinking……
Thanks.
Hey Ujjwal very well written. I would like to know more about the documentary you mentioned above. I been thinking of making one but more like a drama then a real documentary it self. I been looking around but havent seen anything like I want to make. Any help would be appereciated.
Best for now
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