Sherpa Rescuers Redefine Exploitation in Death Zone on Mount Everest
On the night of the 18th to the 19th, a man and a woman were making their way towards Camp IV on Mount Everest. The man, burdened with a 50kg mass, faced significant challenges on the vertiginous slopes of the world's highest peak.
The air at these altitudes is three times thinner, and bodies three times heavier, making each step a Herculean task. The man's companion, filming in the inky blackness, captured his determination as he got up and set off again, counting fifty steps before sitting down.
The Sherpa guides, who have saved countless lives on Everest, had no oxygen masks and had conserved their last reserves for their clients. They were a testament to the resilience and dedication that defines the Sherpa people.
The woman, who should have died there, was revived by her two Sherpa guides. She was now clinging to the man's back, hidden behind an oxygen mask. The man expressed concern about her condition and their determination to carry her down to Camp IV.
The descent was particularly arduous. Bodies on Mount Everest are drawn towards the peak like a meteor towards a gas giant. The man's companion made a comparison between walking fifty steps on the sea and on Mount Everest, highlighting the immense physical challenges they faced.
The woman's collapse half-conscious just meters from the summit of Everest at 6:30 AM was a stark reminder of the dangers that lurk on the world's highest peak. Yet, the man and his companion were determined not to let her die during their descent.
The video filmed during this harrowing journey showed the Sherpa adjusting his burden and setting off with determined steps. This journey, according to the man's companion, marks a "new chapter for the Sherpas and the things they carry".
The man's companion's words echo the spirit of resilience and determination that defines the Sherpa people. They are not just guides, but lifelines for countless climbers who dream of conquering Everest. This journey, like many before it, is a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the Sherpa's unwavering dedication.
The man and his companion, who lived an adventure-travel lifestyle filled with challenges, discussed the heavy toll their sports activities were taking on them, as they struggled to descend Mount Everest with the woman clinging to the man's back.
In the face of such adversity, the man's companion expressed the idea that their journey, carrying a heavy burden of life and death decisions, was a transformation in the traditional role of Sherpa guides, now embodying a new level of responsibility beyond just guiding a lifestyle of travel and adventure.
