Human + Nature
On the edge of the Khumbu Glacier and its surrounding moraine, is Everest Base Camp. Situated at an altitude of 5364m and over 1.5km long, this temporary settlement, which exists only from April until early June, is growing every year. Over the last few years the number of climbing companies offering their services has risen, with the biggest change being Nepalese firms joining the competition. This has meant the cost of climbing has fallen as low as $30,000 (US) with a Nepalese company and between $45,000 – $85,000 with a Western organisation. Discussions are underway as to how to control the numbers going forward. One suggestion is to ban those under 18 and over 75, those with disabilities, while only experienced climbers who have already scaled medium-sized Himalayan peaks will be issued with permits for Everest. These images were shot just four days before the 25 April 2015 devastating earthquake, which then triggered the avalanche of ice seracs and ice cliffs on Mount Pumori and Mount Lingtren. The catastrophic events destroyed most of the encampments and caused the death of 19 people. At the end of the day its still the Sherpas who do the work and take the risk, one wonders whether the number of companies providing mountaineering assistance and individuals wanting to scale the peak, will start to change, as discussions about the environmental, economic, social and political impact continue.
On the edge of the Khumbu Glacier and its surrounding moraine, is Everest Base Camp. Situated at an altitude of 5364m and over 1.5km long, this temporary settlement, which exists only from April until early June, is growing every year. Over the last few years the number of climbing companies offering their services has risen, with the biggest change being Nepalese firms joining the competition. This has meant the cost of climbing has fallen as low as $30,000 (US) with a Nepalese company and between $45,000 – $85,000 with a Western organisation. Discussions are underway as to how to control the numbers going forward. One suggestion is to ban those under 18 and over 75, those with disabilities, while only experienced climbers who have already scaled medium-sized Himalayan peaks will be issued with permits for Everest. These images were shot just four days before the 25 April 2015 devastating earthquake, which then triggered the avalanche of ice seracs and ice cliffs on Mount Pumori and Mount Lingtren. The catastrophic events destroyed most of the encampments and caused the death of 19 people. At the end of the day its still the Sherpas who do the work and take the risk, one wonders whether the number of companies providing mountaineering assistance and individuals wanting to scale the peak, will start to change, as discussions about the environmental, economic, social and political impact continue.
