Climbing Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, is the lifelong dream of many mountaineers. A successful summit earns them endless applause and glory. But in every mountaineering adventure, those who contribute the most, carry the heaviest loads, and take on the highest risks are the Sherpa guides — the true unsung heroes.
The Sherpas are scattered across Nepal, India, Bhutan, and China on both sides of the Himalayas, with the largest population — about 500,000 — in Nepal. According to a 1976 study, generations of Sherpas have lived at high altitudes between 2,700 and 4,200 meters, genetically adapting to survive in the mountains with minimal oxygen, making them the best guides.
Since the mid-19th century, when the British began surveying the Himalayas, the Sherpas have served as guides. In 1953, New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary was the first to conquer Everest, and his summit partner was Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay. In recent years, as Nepal has vigorously developed high-altitude tourism, the Sherpas have become an indispensable backbone.
According to National Geographic, Sherpa guides can earn an average of $5,000 (about NT$150,000) for two months of work, while the average annual income of a Nepalese farmer is just $1,000. Many Sherpas take on this high-risk profession simply to support their families.
Being a guide on Everest is no easy task. Before climbers even set out, Sherpa guides must carry heavy equipment to designated campsites, often leading the way, setting fixed ropes, transporting supplies, and shuttling back and forth. The most high-risk Sherpa guides are called “icefall doctors,” responsible for maintaining and securing the climbing route.