Sherpa * * * *

Last year I reviewed a film called Everest, a dramatisation of one of the greatest climbing disasters on Mt Everest which had taken place twenty years earlier.  

But no sooner had Everest been released than an even greater tragedy took place.  

In 2014 sixteen Sherpas were killed on Mt Everest. This excellent documentary tells the story. The difference is, Everest dramatised privileged tourists who died doing their hobby, Sherpa is a serious documentary about local Sherpa men who died doing their job - which is serving the privileged tourists.

The event unfolds like a narrative, with Sherpas farewelling their families and wives talking about their discomfort with the dangerous work their husbands do. One in particular looks forward to his 22nd ascent. Though it also troubles him spiritually, for Everest is regarded a sacred place to the Sherpas and he is concerned that it might be considered disrespectful to stand upon its top, especially with an attitude of having “conquered” it. Unfortunately I do not think all that visit Everest are so humble in their approach.

We are also introduced to an English operator along with his clients (he is one of several): Taking on Everest is not a cheap holiday.  Most of his clients have paid close to a hundred thousand dollars to give it a go.   

So the tourists/adventurers pay the operators who employ and pay the Sherpas. There are two ways you can look at the Sherpa remuneration. Terrible compared to our income, huge compared to most other people in their country. Either way, what is the right price for putting your life seriously at risk?

Cautiously referring to the famous Tenzing Norgay/Edmund Hillary friendship Sherpa explains the warmth and mutual respect that always existed between visitors and Sherpas and how it has been slowly degenerating.  It is probably a case of so many attempting to summit Mt Everest (nearly six hundred a year), not all are going to be mentally, physically and culturally prepared. Also, so many visitors requires more and more Sherpas: some of whom are not as experienced or talented as others.

With the death of so many of their own 2014 was the year that the Sherpas said “no more”. At least, not under the present arrangement.

There are many other factors involved with this industry and Sherpa is not scant on information.  Australian director Jennifer Peedom has given us a rich and highly informative documentary well told.  It’s a fascinating insight into the whole Everest Industry from the Sherpa perspective.

(Done with space between the paragraphs for my friend Stuart who saw the film with me. He's got a pretty good blog too. Go see.......Quiet Seeing )