Everything A Sherpa Guide Carries To The Summit Of Everest | Inside Everest | Business Insider

Summary

Sherpa guides are vital for climbers' safety on Everest, relying on essential gear to navigate extreme conditions. Starting at 3 a.m., headlamps illuminate the dark climb. Oxygen regulation is crucial to avoid fatal altitude sickness. Crampons and specialized boots, costing up to $1,000, provide traction and protection at high altitudes. High-quality equipment, from harnesses to helmets, is a matter of life and death. Ice axes, clothing adapted to harsh conditions, and a sleeping bag rated for minus 40 degrees Celsius are also indispensable. A well-equipped medicine kit and high-calorie, nutrient-dense foods ensure climbers' health and energy. Sherpa guides, like Pastemba, are the linchpin of successful expeditions, maintaining equipment for the challenging ascent.

Takeaways

• 🕒 Early Starts: Sherpa guides and climbers begin their ascent as early as 3 a.m. to navigate the dark and avoid afternoon storms.
• 🔦 Essential Headlamps: A headlamp is crucial for visibility during the pitch-black climb.
• ❄️ Oxygen Regulation: Guides must know how to regulate oxygen use to prevent running out, which is a common cause of death on Everest.
• 🥽 Protecting Vision: Snow blindness is a risk, so climbers must protect their eyes from the harsh conditions at high elevations.
• 👢 Crampons and Boots: Crampons are necessary for gripping ice, and specialized boots designed for use above 8,000 meters are essential for the summit.
• 💰 High-Cost Gear: Quality gear, including boots that can cost up to $1,000, is vital as climbers' lives depend on it.
• ⚒️ Ice Axes for Climbing: Guides use ice axes to navigate technical terrain and assist in climbing.
• 🧥 Adaptable Clothing: Different types of clothing are required as climbers ascend to handle increasingly harsh conditions.
• 🛌 Specialized Sleeping Bags: Climbers need sleeping bags designed for extreme cold, capable of withstanding minus 40 degrees Celsius.
• 💊 Comprehensive Medicine Kit: A medicine kit with antibiotics, altitude-sickness tablets, and bandages is essential for health and safety.
• 🍫 High-Calorie Foods: Due to decreased taste at high elevations, climbers require high-calorie, high-carbohydrate, and antioxidant-rich foods to maintain energy.

Q & A

What is the role of Sherpa guides in assisting climbers on Everest?

Sherpa guides risk their lives to ensure climbers safely reach the summit of Everest, helping them navigate through extreme cold and high altitudes, and choosing the correct gear for each elevation.

Why do Sherpa guides leave base camp at 3 a.m. and what is essential for this early climb?

Guides leave base camp early to take advantage of better climbing conditions. A headlamp is essential for visibility during the pitch-black climb.

What is a common cause of death on Everest and how do Sherpa guides mitigate this risk?

Getting stuck at a high elevation and running out of oxygen is a common cause of death. Sherpa guides mitigate this risk by knowing how to regulate oxygen use effectively.

Why is snow blindness a concern during the climb and how can it be prevented?

Snow blindness can occur quickly and damage eyes due to the intense reflection of sunlight off snow. It can be prevented by wearing appropriate eye protection.

What is the importance of crampons in the climbing process and what challenges do they present for new climbers?

Crampons are essential for gripping into ice and are crucial for climbing safety. New climbers often struggle with their use due to the need for balance and technique.

What type of boots are required for climbers aiming to summit Everest and why?

Climbers need boots designed for use above 8,000 meters to summit Everest. These boots are crucial for providing the necessary insulation and support in extreme conditions and can cost up to $1,000.

How does the quality of gear and knowledge of its use impact the safety of climbers?

High-quality gear and the knowledge of how to use it are essential because climbers entrust their lives to the harness, hardware, and helmet. Proper use of this equipment can mean the difference between life and death.

What is the purpose of an ice ax in the climbing process and how is it used?

An ice ax is used by guides to climb technical terrain and for self-arrest in case of a slip. It's an essential tool for navigating steep and icy sections of the climb.

Why do climbers require different types of clothing as they ascend and what are some examples?

As climbers ascend, they face increasingly harsh conditions, requiring different types of clothing for protection. Examples include down suits for insulation, fleece-lined down gloves for warmth, and gloves with better dexterity for rope work.

What is special about the sleeping bag climbers use and why is it necessary for high-altitude climbing?

Climbers use a sleeping bag designed to withstand temperatures down to minus 40 degrees Celsius. This is necessary for high-altitude climbing where temperatures can drop significantly, and warmth is critical for survival.

What items are included in the medicine kit and why are they important for climbers?

The medicine kit includes antibiotics, altitude-sickness tablets, and bandages. These items are important for treating infections, managing altitude sickness, and addressing injuries that may occur during the climb.

How do climbers maintain their energy and what type of food do they need at high elevations?

Climbers need high-calorie foods that are also high in carbohydrates and antioxidants to maintain their energy. This is important because at high elevations, the ability to taste decreases, but energy requirements remain high.

What is the significance of maintaining equipment for a Sherpa guide like Pastemba Sherpa during an expedition?

Maintaining equipment is key to a successful expedition because it ensures the safety and efficiency of the climb. Properly maintained equipment reduces the risk of malfunctions that could endanger the climbers.