SP commentary: exploitation of Sherpas, etc.

Cindy thinks: Hmm, I didn't pay peanut wages. I'll let em know I didn't exploit anyone.

Cindy tells SP about $600+ tip.

SP commentary: well, hell, being rich........

Feels like you can't win no matter what you say doesn't it? It's part of the fun and challenge of SP threads. Folks wait to see you take out your can of paint and when they see you painted into a corner (even though you may not consider it a corner), they strike. I think for most folk, no malice intended. Just stating points of view, often forcefully.

radson wrote:
Coming full circle, the plight of porters reminded me of the photo above. Porters carrying supplies to lobuche to build new teahouses. The khumbu and specifically Namche Bazaar is now the wealthiest district in Nepal (well according to wikitravel) but still relatively a very poor place.

The guy in the rear is wearing open-toed sandals, incredibly dangerous considering the variable weather conditions in the upper khumbu. The week prior to taking the photo in Machermo, I had sat in on a HA safety talk with the volunteer doctors with Porters Progress, a group who attempts to raise standards for porters throughout nepal but more specifically in the khumbu and annnapurna regions. They specifically request that western operators ensure their porters are clothed properly with decent shelter and I think most western operators are complying. The hope is that this culture of minimum human concern will pass on to all people using the services of porters in the region.

http://www.portersprogress.org/PPUK/Home.html

Why full circle? Well on opening PP website, I see none other than Will Gadd featured on their home page.

That is full circle - good post Radson

Mountain Impulse wrote:I think for most folk, no malice intended. Just stating points of view, often forcefully.

Yes, I for one, mean no malice. It's just that im always right.

Fletch wrote:

Mountain Impulse wrote:I think for most folk, no malice intended. Just stating points of view, often forcefully.

Yes, I for one, mean no malice. It's just that im always right.

On the other hand, there are those who are often wrong, but never in doubt.

The price for a Sherpa in the Himalaya is $2 a day.

Lowland porters paid locally might make that much (?), but climbing Sherpas make about $4000 per climb (for about 8 weeks), which is many, many times the average Nepali income for an entire year.

Climbing sherpas are very wealthy by Nepal standards and are the rockstars of their country. Many of them are more well traveled than the climbers they service (many have visited the United States). Unfortunately, their work is dangerous and many Sherpas have perished in the Himalaya.

RADSON & CINDY...

GOOD ON THE TWO OF YA!

I truly hope that more like you trek onto the trail and pay those Porter's (NOT SHERPA'S) what they deserve for all the incredible work that they do.

Thank you!

CindyAbbott wrote:I like the way Dow said: we don't know each other stories so we should not comment on them.

But, that wouldn't be SP then...now would it?

Dow Williams wrote:Brad, you used a helicopter to climb Robson for gods sake (the hump and then technical aspects of the mousetrap is what make the Kain face such a classic). Suppose to be a dream of yours and you damn near flew to the summit to start. You would whore out your mother to get to a summit, call a spade a spade. You could care less about porters or mules as long as they carry your shit for you. From what I hear, you would probably spend 30 minutes negotiating the meager price they are normally paid.

I could not stand for someone else hauling my shit anywhere or using heli's in the Canadian Rockies, 12,000 is all we are talking about. Have some friggin pride.

Sorry Dow, I've been away for a while and was just getting caught up.

First of all thank you for proving my initial point so exactly, that being, guys like you shitting on your fellow climbers because of their climbing style are dicks. Who cares what style any climber chooses to employ. Yes I've flown up to the dome on Robson but so did your hero Steve House. I guess because Mr. House puts a lot of time and effort in to climbing and I don't understand his world you probably think it"s OK for him to fly up there while it's not OK for weekend climbers like me.

As for the Sherpas yes I do care about them. You obviously didn't understand my posts regarding my belief that it should be the Sherpa community that should set the fees in their area. As for my using mules on Aco I don't get your point. You're the one who professes that only real climbers carry their own gear up the mountain, not me.

Dow, while I certainly respect all the time and effort you've up in to your trip reports here on SP I really don't give a rat's ass what you think. Furthermore, your "from what I've heard" comment is pure nonsense as I doubt you've ever talked to anyone who knows me personally.

FortMental wrote:

Dow Williams wrote:Brad, you used a helicopter to climb Robson for gods sake. Suppose to be a dream of yours and you damn near flew to the summit to start. You would whore out your mother to get to a summit

Ouch.... say it ain't so, Brad!

It's so, just after Steve and Colin few in. I wonder how much time and effort I need to put in to climbing before Dow thinks it's OK for me to do it again.

Brad Marshall wrote:

FortMental wrote:

Dow Williams wrote:Brad, you used a helicopter to climb Robson for gods sake. Suppose to be a dream of yours and you damn near flew to the summit to start. You would whore out your mother to get to a summit

Ouch.... say it ain't so, Brad!

It's so, just after Steve and Colin few in. I wonder how much time and effort I need to put in to climbing before Dow thinks it's OK for me to do it again.

FYI Steve has been up Robson at least 5 times and and I think the fly in was for a new line up it. Do you honestly compare yourself to them? you climb? I haven't seen any pics of you leading rock.

Jeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzuss,

Lots of apples and oranges here. Without criticizing anyone here; including Steve House, a bird is a bird is a bird. New line or not. SH, BM or not. No diff.

When are we gonna start jumping down the throats of Denali climbers for taking the air taxi from Talkeetna to Kahiltna base camp ? How about up the Ruth ? Some of you holier than thou types could use a good kick off your high horses. Especially those who have never walked the walk in the places discussed within this thread.

James_W wrote:

Brad Marshall wrote:

FortMental wrote:

Dow Williams wrote:Brad, you used a helicopter to climb Robson for gods sake. Suppose to be a dream of yours and you damn near flew to the summit to start. You would whore out your mother to get to a summit

Ouch.... say it ain't so, Brad!

It's so, just after Steve and Colin few in. I wonder how much time and effort I need to put in to climbing before Dow thinks it's OK for me to do it again.

FYI Steve has been up Robson at least 5 times and and I think the fly in was for a new line up it. Do you honestly compare yourself to them? you climb? I haven't seen any pics of you leading rock.

Did you actually read and understand any of my posts? Apparently not otherwise you wouldn't be questioning me regarding my climbing which I certainly don't have to justify to you. That's something those dicks do. Are you one of those?

We would not have a problem with it at all Brad if you spoke from a tourist climber perspective instead of trying to pose with such authority on climbing regarding stuff of which you know little except for what you read. James, Anita, myself, many others get tired of your poser status when it comes to discussing gear or Canadian climbing. Comparing your flight to climb the Kain face to Steve House scouting new routes, or Barry Blanchard who flies clients up there (how he makes a living) because they, like yourself, are not in condition to make the true climb....is ludicrous and first rate poser material. When you quit posing, we will quit calling you out on it.

I don't have a problem with what other people's methods and styles are unless they start bs..ing their way around. A lot of Everest "summiteers" do this and that was Will's main point when he wrote the article.

new site needed?

suggestions?

butitsadryheat wrote::shock:

new site needed?

suggestions?

Plenty Of Fish - Get knee deep in some pus*y