In 2009, local Sherpas were carrying heavy loads up the mountain
On April 27, at an altitude of over 7,000m on the way to climb Mount Everest, three European mountaineers and hundreds of local Sherpas erupted in a “highest-altitude conflict in history.” Witnesses said the Sherpas threw stones at the tents of the three European climbers and punched and kicked them. Analysts said that at such a high altitude, people have very limited energy, making such a brawl extremely rare.
Two of them are legendary figures in the mountaineering world
According to Nepal’s mountaineering authorities, the three men were Ueli Steck from Switzerland, known as the fastest man to climb the Alps; Simone Moro from Italy, regarded as a legend in the climbing world who has scaled Everest four times; and Jonathan Griffith, a photographer from the UK.
The brawl took place between Camp II and Camp III on Lhotse Face. On the 27th, the three were preparing to push toward Camp III, but the Sherpa guides asked them to wait because they were installing ropes to assist the climb.
One witness said, “The Sherpas shouted at them, warning them that the ropes weren’t fixed yet and not to go ahead. But they didn’t listen, and then a chunk of ice fell and hit a Sherpa, which enraged them.”
Rescued by other climbers
The three returned to Camp II. Later that day, angry Sherpas stormed their tents, and a conflict broke out, with the Sherpas throwing rocks at them.
“A group of Westerners (other climbers) saved us by forming a buffer zone between us and the Sherpas,” said British photographer Griffith.
After the conflict erupted, the Nepalese government took it very seriously. Since mountaineering revenue is a crucial income source for the country, the local tourism department has pledged to ensure the safety of climbers.
It is reported that after the Nepalese government’s safety assurance, Ueli decided to continue climbing and attempt Everest. Griffith, however, said they planned to “leave Nepal as soon as possible.”