World highest peak Everest claimed thirteen lives of Sherpas and still counting in an unprecedented accident that shook the industry with the most tragic avalanche in the history of the EVEREST. The Avalanch had hit the dangerous climbing pass the “popcorn field” on Friday morning.
The avalanche started raining down big chunks of ice at about 6:30 a.m. Friday where the group of about 25 Sherpa guides were aligning the path and setting up the ropes for the coming climbing season.
April and May are considered as the peak climbing months and hundreds of climbers were waiting at base camp in the hope of scaling the summit.
“The Sherpas always go first, edging up the deadly flank of Everest while international clients wait for days in the base camp below. They set off in the dark, before the day’s warmth causes the ice to shift. They creep one by one across ladders propped over crevasses, burdened with food and supplies, all the while watching the great wall of a hanging glacier, hoping that this season will not be the year it falls. But sadly the ice fell with devastating effect on that Friday morning,” Sunit Rizal, one of the adventure enthusiast quoted.
According to the Pema Sherpa a Veteran climber, “ Due to global warming and climate change Everest has become more vulnerable and the climatic conditions are more harsh. Due to temperature rise and fall the ice is more unpredictable. If you look at the history of Everest than this is the first time that Everest has taken so many sons of Sherpas. At the elevation of 5,800 meters (19,000 feet) the path had been unstable and especially that area is considered dangerous due to its deep crevasses. The accident was an unfortunate and something that is irreversible, but it’s always the Sherpas and professionals who have to bear the cost. We contribute so much to the Economy of Nepal but the government of Nepal is doing nothing. ”
One of the famous mountaineer, and guide Mingma Sherpa was quoted by The Himalayan times as, “ The government, this season collected Rs 300 million in royalty from Mt Everest but not a penny was earmarked for the well being of Sherpas. Being a guide and summiter of 14 mountains above 8,000 metres, I have faced many challenges in my two decades as mountaineers. We the Sherpas strongly urge the government to immediately act to support the families of deceased Sherpas. A permanent mechanism is needed at the government level. Our mountain activities are directly linked with our bread and butter.”
According to statistics for 2014, 85 expedition teams have been already been issued permits to climb different mountains in Nepal. A total of 334 mountaineers, including 87 from the US representing 31 teams are headed for Mt Everest this season.
Similarly, till now a total of 6,871 ascents were done of Everest out of which 4,416 were made from the Nepal’s side and 2,455 from the Tibetan side.
With high alerts, the rescue Helicopters of the Nepali Army and private companies are on standby to support the search and rescue mission. Everest and its management issue have always been in controversy in one or the other form, whether it’s climate change or management of royalty fee or management of waste or its professional the Sherpa, It’s high time we start correcting these mistakes or else it will rain the unwanted accidents and lives.
It’s a concern for all.
