The Nepalese

Nepalese...Nepali?  Not sure.  Wikipedia tells me Nepali is the correct term for the people of Nepal.  Sherpa describes a Nepali ethnic group from the mountainous regions of Nepal.  Fascinating people.

They've been hiking these vigorous trails as part of their "daily commute" for millennia.  They are built for the altitude and the mountains.  They are short in stature.  I wonder if the lower center of gravity gives them an advantage when hiking at altitude?  It definitely makes it easier to carry large loads of cargo supported by woven baskets and bands around their heads.  They must have incredible neck muscles.  A common "job" for boys and men is as a porter.  Porters get paid by the pound of the load they carry.  It is not unusual for porters to carry twice their body weight up and down these steep Himalayan slopes.  And often time they are just wearing flip-flops.  The young porters carry their mp3 players on their load and hike to music. 

My mom next to a Sherpa porter.  That entire load is supported on his forehead.  Amazing!

All the "rigs idling at the truck stop".

While altitude sickness is not a big issue for the local Sherpas, the government posts plenty of literature to educate the silly tourists.  Recent reports from 2012 Everest Expeditions indicate that there may be a record number of illness or deaths from altitude sickness.

Enjoying a cup of hot tea at 15,100'.  The highest point of my trek.  Amu Dablam Base Camp.