Early on April 18, giant chunks of ice swept down a treacherous section of Mount Everest known as the Khumbu Icefall, claiming 16 lives in the single deadliest accident on the world’s highest peak. All of the dead were Sherpas, members of the Nepalese mountain community that guides, cooks, hauls gear and sets ropes for foreign climbers. For three months’ work, they earn about $6,000–nine times the average annual wage in Nepal but about one-tenth of what a foreign climber typically pays companies that manage expeditions and employ the Sherpas.
After the tragedy, the Sherpas refused to work unless the government agreed to a list of demands, including guaranteed pay even if the climbing season is canceled. When their demands weren’t met, the Sherpas left the mountain, and the 334 climbers hoping to scale it had to abandon their plans.
Here’s a look at the economics–and the perils–of climbing Everest.
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CHINA
HIMALAYAS
NEPAL
Kathmandu
INDIA
MOUNT EVEREST
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Climber success rates by year
ATTEMPTS
SUMMITS
DEATHS
Base camp
Nepal is home to eight of the world’s 14 highest peaks. Tourism accounts for 4.3% of Nepal’s GDP.
EARLIEST ASCENT
Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay first reached the summit in 1953.
1953
1956
39 Attempts
4 Summits
0 Deaths
1960
1970
116 Attempts
4 Summits
8 Deaths
1970
ICEFALL TRAGEDY
An ice collapse killed six Sherpas carrying loads for a Japanese team in the same area as a recent avalanche.
1980
1984
302 Attempts
16 Summits
9 Deaths
1990
1996
492 Attempts
98 Summits
15 Deaths
BAD WEATHER
Eight climbers perished after a massive storm in 1996. All died from exposure except for one, who likely fell.
2000
2007
1,052 Attempts
632 Summits
7 Deaths
2010
2013
1,014 Attempts
658 Summits
8 Deaths
2014
Unknown Attempts
0 Summits
17 Deaths
Through May 5
DEFYING AGE
In 2010, at age 13, Jordan Romero became the youngest person to reach the top. Yuichiro Miura, 80, became the oldest three years later.
Top causes of death
Through 2013
Foreign climber
12%
ALTITUDE SICKNESS
16%
EXPOSURE/FROSTBITE
32%
FALL
Sherpa
35%
AVALANCHE
18%
FALL
15%
ICEFALL COLLAPSE
Sherpas, though genetically adapted to high altitudes, are nonetheless more susceptible to natural disasters because they spend more time in dangerous terrain than foreign climbers.
Steep price
$65,000
What a typical expedition costs a foreign climber
$10,000
Airfare, hotels and other transit
$15,000
Gear, oxygen and food
$15,000
Permits, fees and deposits
$25,000
Local companies providing guides
Hired Sherpas make an average of $6,000 per season. The salary varies based on job and experience.
CAMP STAFF $1,000
Run errands, help the cooks and clean camps
PORTERS $5,000
Carry gear and supplies; salary increases with number of trips
LEADERS $10,000
Organize expeditions and accompany foreign climbers
Top of the world
At the summit, climbers breathe about 70% less oxygen than they do at sea level, which is like breathing through a straw.
BOEING 747 CRUISING ALTITUDE
35,000 ft.
6 miles
MOUNT EVEREST
29,035 ft.
5
4
MOUNT McKINLEY
20,320 ft.
3
MOUNT FUJI
12,388 ft.
2
BURJ KHALIFA
(Tallest man-made structure)
2,723 ft.
1
EMPIRE STATE BUILDING
1,454 ft.
0
SOURCES: HIMALAYAN DATABASE; THE HIMALAYA BY THE NUMBERS; WORLD TRAVEL & TOURISM COUNCIL; REUTERS; HIMALAYAN RESCUE ASSOCIATION; NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
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