Asian Correspondent
May 1, 2015
This photo provided by Azim Afif shows the scene after an avalanche triggered by a massive earthquake swept across Everest Base Camp, Nepal on Saturday. Pic: AP.
The abrupt ending of the climbing season on Mount Everest’s north and south sides following a deadly earthquake will be a severe blow to the Sherpas in the region.
Many Sherpas will not receive highly-anticipated bonuses and other pay for helping people scale the world’s tallest peak.
And some climbers and guides say the natural disasters that have hit Everest in recent years may scare people away from the majestic Himalayan mountain.
Nineteen climbers were killed and dozens injured Saturday when a magnitude 7.8 earthquake triggered an avalanche that struck Everest basecamp. The catastrophe came almost a year after a block of ice triggered an avalanche that struck the Khumbu Icefall just above basecamp, killing 16 Sherpas and causing many to abandon their summit plans.
