This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2014/apr/22/nepal-everest-talks-sherpa-strike-avalanche

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Nepal in talks to avert Sherpa strike after deadly Everest avalanche Nepal in talks to avert Sherpa strike after deadly Everest avalanche
(35 minutes later)
Nepalese authorities were meeting with Sherpa mountain guides in an attempt to avert a climbing strike after the deadliest avalanche recorded on Mount Everest killed at least 13 of the guides. Nepalese authorities were meeting with Sherpa mountain guides in an attempt to avert a climbing strike after the deadliest avalanche recorded on Mount Everest killed at least 13 of the guides.
A boycott by Nepal's ethnic Sherpa community could critically disrupt the Everest climbing season, which is key to the livelihood of thousands of Nepali guides and porters. Without Sherpa support, it would be almost impossible for climbers to reach the summit. A boycott by Nepal's ethnic Sherpa community could disrupt the Everest climbing season, which is key to the livelihood of thousands of guides and porters. Without Sherpa support, it would be almost impossible for climbers to reach the summit.
Sherpas have threatened to boycott expeditions unless the government meets a series of demands by next week, including providing more insurance money, further financial aid for the families of the victims and new regulations that would ensure climbers' rights.Sherpas have threatened to boycott expeditions unless the government meets a series of demands by next week, including providing more insurance money, further financial aid for the families of the victims and new regulations that would ensure climbers' rights.
Maddhu Sudan Burlakoti, the head of Nepal's mountaineering department, said all of the demands would be discussed and a recommendation made to the government later on Tuesday. Maddhu Sudan Burlakoti, the head of Nepal's mountaineering department, said all of the demands would be discussed and a recommendation made to the government later on Tuesday.
Since Friday's avalanche, expedition teams have declared a week of mourning with no trips to the summit. Ang Tshering of the Nepal Mountaineering Association said about 400 foreign climbers from 39 expedition teams are on the mountain with an equal number of Sherpa guides, along with support staff such as cooks, cleaners and porters in the base camp. Since Friday's avalanche, expedition teams have declared a week of mourning with no trips to the summit. Ang Tshering of the Nepal Mountaineering Association said about 400 foreign climbers from 39 expedition teams are on the mountain with an equal number of Sherpa guides, along with support staff such as cooks, cleaners and porters in the base camp.
If the Sherpas boycott the season, many of the climbers would have to forfeit most or all of the money they have spent to go up Everest, which can add up to $90,000 (£53,000). If the Sherpas boycott the season, many of the climbers would have to forfeit most or all of the money they have spent to climb Everest, which can add up to $90,000 (£53,000).
Everest climbers have long relied on Sherpas for everything from hauling gear to cooking food to high-altitude guiding. Some guides had already left the mountain by Monday, either joining the boycott or mourning their friends and colleagues. Those climbing Everest have long relied on Sherpas for everything from hauling gear to cooking food to high-altitude guiding. Some guides had already left the mountain by Monday, either joining the boycott or mourning their friends and colleagues.
The avalanche caused the worst climbing accident in Everest history. At least 13 Sherpas were killed when a block of ice tore loose from the mountain and triggered a cascade that ripped through teams of guides hauling gear. The avalanche caused the most deadly recorded climbing accident in Everest history. At least 13 Sherpas were killed when a block of ice tore loose from the mountain and triggered a cascade that ripped through teams of guides hauling gear.
Three Sherpas missing in Friday's avalanche are presumed dead. Authorities say it is unlikely that their bodies – believed to be covered in snow and ice – will be recovered.Three Sherpas missing in Friday's avalanche are presumed dead. Authorities say it is unlikely that their bodies – believed to be covered in snow and ice – will be recovered.
The Sherpas want the minimum insurance payment for those killed on Everest to be doubled to 2m rupees (£12,370), and a portion of the climbing fee charged by the government to be reserved for a relief fund. The government has agreed so far to just one demand – that it build a monument in the capital in memory of those killed in the avalanche. The Sherpas want the minimum insurance payment for those killed on Everest to be doubled to 2m rupees (£12,370), and a portion of the climbing fee charged by the government to be reserved for a relief fund. The government has agreed so far to just one demand – building a monument in the capital, Katmandu, in memory of those killed.
Pasang Sherpa of the National Mountain Guides Association said his group had signatures from more than 350 Sherpas from the base camp. "They all support the demands, and work will not continue unless the government agrees to our demands. When the avalanche hit and rescue help was needed, there was little support from the government available at the base camp."Pasang Sherpa of the National Mountain Guides Association said his group had signatures from more than 350 Sherpas from the base camp. "They all support the demands, and work will not continue unless the government agrees to our demands. When the avalanche hit and rescue help was needed, there was little support from the government available at the base camp."
Hundreds of people, both foreigners and Sherpas, have died trying to reach the summit, and about a quarter of the deaths occurred in avalanches, climbing officials say. The previous worst disaster on Everest had been a fierce blizzard on 11 May 1996, that killed eight climbers and was memorialised in the book Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer. Hundreds of people, both foreigners and Sherpas, have died trying to reach the summit, and about a quarter of the deaths occurred in avalanches, climbing officials say. The previous worst disaster on Everest had been a fierce blizzard on 11 May 1996, in which eight climbers died. The deadly expedition was memorialised in the book Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer.
More than 4,000 climbers have reached the top of Everest since 1953, when the mountain was first conquered by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay. More than 4,000 climbers have reached the summit of Everest since 1953, when New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first.