Sherpas Move to Shut Everest in Labor Fight

[Sherman A1]

KATMANDU, Nepal — Over the years, as Mount Everest attracted larger crowds of amateur climbers from the West, the Sherpas adjusted: to a slower ascent, to traffic jams, to bulging loads of gear. Every spring some new frustration would get them talking, then recede with the end of the season.

This was the year that frustration boiled over. The avalanche that killed at least 13 Sherpas last Friday has prompted an extraordinary labor dispute, as Mount Everest’s quiet workhorses took steps on Tuesday to shut down the mountain for the season, demanding that the government share proceeds from what has become a multimillion-dollar business.

Tensions were coursing through Mount Everest’s base camp on Tuesday after a rowdy meeting where, according to people who were present, two-thirds of the Sherpas opted to cancel planned ascents. As a few teams of climbers packed their bags and began the long journey out of the Himalayas, two veteran expedition leaders left the camp by helicopter for an emergency meeting with Nepalese officials in an effort to avert a shutdown.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/23/world/asia/sherpas-delay-everest-climbs-in-labor-fight.html?emc=edit_th_20140423&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=42530878&_r=0

[dipsydoodle]

1. Sherpas leave Everest; some expeditions nix climbs

KATMANDU, Nepal (AP) -- Dozens of Sherpa guides packed up their tents and left Mount Everest's base camp Wednesday, after the avalanche deaths of 16 of their colleagues exposed an undercurrent of resentment by Sherpas over their pay, treatment and benefits.

With the entire climbing season increasingly thrown into doubt, the government quickly announced that top tourism officials would fly to base camp Thursday to negotiate with the Sherpas and encourage them to return to work.

But while Nepal's government has been heavily criticized for not doing enough for the Sherpas in the wake of last week's disaster, the deadliest ever on the mountain, one top official blamed the walkout on "hooligans."

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While it was unclear just how many of the 400 or so Sherpas on the mountain had joined the walkout, a number of expedition companies have already canceled their climbs, and the lucrative climbing season is in disarray. Most attempts to reach Everest's summit are made in mid-May, when a brief window normally offers better weather.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_NEPAL_EVEREST_AVALANCHE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2014-04-23-03-37-01

[Sherman A1]

2. What I found interesting

in this edition of the NY Times were three work related safety (or lack of safety) stories in the headlines from different parts of the world. This one the Korean Ferry and a case of an Indiana Football Player from decades ago. Each case is of course important news of it's own right, but three springing up on the same day? Makes one wonder......if there is indeed hope for the media.

[Hoppy]

3. These guys make about $4k per year. Nepal gov't takes in millions.

And the people who have enough money to pay for the trip ... do they give a shit about the guides?

[Sherman A1]

5. They give a.....

if the guides are not there to take them on the journey for which they paid. Beyond that, one suspects probably not.

[jimlup]

11. As a mountaineer I know for a fact that this is not true...

One can make various arguments about exploitation and maybe they are true. But I know for a fact that most of the clients who climb a mountain like Everest have only the deepest respect and admiration for the Sherpas. The truth is that the Sherpas seek employment with the Everest companies. One can make arguments both ways but it is not as trivially obvious as you might think. I know personally two excellent Sherpa guides who have relocated in the United States and who's children now go to American schools. This would not be possible for them without the climbing connection. Being a "climbing Sherpa" is akin to being a rock star within the Sherpa community. There is more to this story than just the "Western exploitation" meme.

The company which I am associated and climbing accredited with (Alpine Ascents International), and am considering climbing Denali (Mt. Mckinley) with myself in the next couple of years, canceled this years expedition and posted this:

Friends, Family, and Greater Climbing Community,

As you all know the recent days and events have been very difficult for us all.

The Alpine Ascents’ Sherpa, guides and staff have had time to reflect after the loss of five Sherpa team members and eleven others from the Sherpa community. We have all agreed the best thing is to not continue this season’s climb, so that all can mourn the loss of family, friends and comrades in this unprecedented tragedy.

We are grateful for the understanding of our compassionate team members and want to thank all of the people who have shared condolences and support in this difficult time.

It is our hope that time and support will allow the necessary healing for the Sherpa community.

Sincerely,

Alpine Ascents International Everest 2014

Donations to the Sherpa Education fund may be made here:

http://www.sherpaedfund.org/support.html

[7962]

4. I wish they'd shut it down for good.

Just a bunch of rich pompous folks who want to brag to their friends about their big climb.

[HelenWheels]

7. 7962, you are correct

I've read many books, magazines, newspaper articles, etc. about Everest climbs. In many of the climbs the Sherpas all but drag these out of shape Richie Riches up the mountain. If the Sherpas aren't there the number of climbs will decrease dramatically.

[7962]

10. I agree. And its not like its something thats never been done before!

[mopinko]

6. good for them

i really doubt most of those tourists know that sherpas are not mules.

[Shanti Mama]

8. I live in Kathmandu

If the Sherpas and non-Sherpa sherpas stop working on Everest, or Sagarmatha as it's know to them, the ascents will end. Period.
Sagarmatha is the abode of the gods. It doesn't need to be "conquered" or "bagged."
Most people in Nepal revere the mountain. They don't understand the mentality of wanting to get the best of it.
Let's hope it's closed for good, not that the Sherpas, other Nepalis who serve as sherpas, and the country don't need the income.

[MisterP]

9. 18th-c. European mountaineering did indeed have an element of sacredness to it: whether the

Enlightened wanting to know God through His works, and/or the Romantics' finely-attuned sense of awe
back then it was an expedition--but even expeditions were often crass races to just be First, to sacrifice oneself and others for something of zero practical or even spiritual value
Antarctic tourism may be commercial, but it's a whole continent that exists on its own, that we can't claim was "made for us"
but while the hundreds and hundreds who've died on mountains did so to stand on the edge of something that scrapes into space itself, and not just to tick of a box on their bucket list--Everest is definitely a box on a bucket list now

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountaineering
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K2