Mount Everest sherpas divided over respect for lost colleagues and loss of income

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/04/20/mount-everest-sherpas-divided-over-respect-for-lost-colleagues-and-loss-of-income/



Mount Everest sherpas divided over respect for lost colleagues and loss of income
By Ed Douglas, The Guardian
Sunday, April 20, 2014 21:26 EDT

The Nepalese government is considering cancelling all expeditions to the summit of Mount Everest for the rest of the year as rescuers abandoned their search for three Sherpas believed to be among 16 people killed in an avalanche on Friday.

The avalanche has raised concerns in Nepal about the scale of the climbing business and the dangers to the Sherpa guides. This year, 334 climbers from around the world were given permits, costing $10,000 (£5,958) each, to climb Everest. Filming permits and other fees bring in more money to the government in Kathmandu. If the expeditions are cancelled the government will have to refund the fees.

“This is an unprecedented situation,” the tourism ministry spokesman Madhu Sudan Burlakoti told journalists. “We do not know what to do if they want their tax back. We will hold further discussions before deciding anything on this issue.”

Sherpas have also been angered by the government offering families of the victims $400 (£238) which will only cover funeral costs.