The Value of a Sherpa Life an article by Grayson Schaffer masterfully navigates the ethical labyrinth of the Everest climbing industry, probing the stark disparity between Western adventurers and the Sherpa porters who facilitate their conquests. With an intent to spotlight the socio-economic inequities and moral quandaries inherent in this pursuit, Schaffer uses vivid descriptions to depict the arduous labor of Sherpas and the dangers they face. Themes of cultural clash, economic injustice, and the intrinsic worth of lives intertwine to deliver a resounding message: the climbing industry’s hierarchy must be reshaped to uplift the Sherpas, whose vital contributions to Everest ascent deserve recognition and equitable treatment.
The Value of a Sherpa Life | Summary
The article discusses the critical role of Sherpa porters in the Everest climbing industry and highlights the challenges and risks they face. The article begins by recounting an avalanche on April 18, 6:30 a.m. local time, that killed 16 climbers, all of whom were Sherpa porters carrying heavy loads to camps on Everest. The author emphasizes the Sherpas’ crucial contribution to the climbing industry, enabling wealthier climbers to ascend the world’s tallest mountain.
The piece argues that the rise of adventure tourism, particularly Everest climbing, has led to a steep human cost. The author refers to a previous article, “Disposable Man,” which highlighted the frequent occurrence of Sherpa deaths on Everest. The tragic avalanche incident and the death of Sherpa Mingma Tenzing in April 2014 have made that year the deadliest in Everest history, even before most expeditions begin.
While the article acknowledges the moral concerns surrounding the climbing industry on Everest, it also recognizes that completely shutting down the industry would negatively affect the outfitters, tourists, and especially the Sherpas. The Sherpas, despite their indispensable role, receive lower pay, limited rescue insurance, and inadequate accidental death coverage. The author suggests that the key to addressing the issue is to increase the value of a Sherpa life, rather than ending the climbing business altogether.
The author acknowledges efforts by organizations to improve Sherpas’ skills and safety measures, but emphasizes that the inherent dangers of the mountain persist. The Nepalese government’s increase in insurance coverage for Sherpas is seen as insufficient to cover their risks. The article calls for a change in how outfitters communicate the risks to Sherpas and an understanding of the gravity of hiring individuals for dangerous tasks with often meaningless outcomes.
The article also comments on the misleading use of the term Sherpa guides for the men and women who primarily serve as porters. It describes the Sherpas’ dedication to recovering the bodies of their friends under perilous conditions, as per Buddhist tradition. The piece ends by acknowledging the upcoming funeral ceremonies and the impact of the tragedy on the Sherpa communities in the Khumbu Valley.
The Value of a Sherpa Life | Analysis
The article functions as a microcosmic exploration of broader socio-economic issues within the framework of adventure tourism. By dissecting the tragedy on Everest, Schaffer unearths layers of ethical and economic complexity, revealing a tension between profit-driven climbing outfitters and the Sherpas’ perilous labor. Employing a powerful blend of descriptive prose and critical analysis, Schaffer navigates the reader through the multifaceted landscape of adventure tourism, shedding light on the lives of the Sherpa porters who labor at the heart of this perilous trade.
The writer’s approach aligns with historical and socio-cultural analyses, as he highlights the Sherpas’ historical significance and the transformative impact of commercialization on their lives. The narrative’s feminist undertones emerge as Schaffer challenges the gendered stereotypes that label Sherpas predominantly as “guides,” illuminating the gender disparities in this male-dominated industry.
Through his evocative recounting of the tragic avalanche incident, Schaffer effectively employs the literary technique of pathos to elicit empathy and emotional engagement from the readers. The employment of temporal markers and vivid imagery (“April 18, 6:30 a.m. local time”) anchors the narrative in a stark reality, rendering the calamity palpable. This technique is complemented by the writer’s incisive elucidation of the Sherpas’ indispensable role as “Everest’s workforce” and “the real backbone of the climbing industry,” a masterful use of metonymy that encapsulates their pivotal contribution to the narrative’s thematic exploration.
Schaffer’s prose resonates with the themes of sacrifice, economic disparity, and cultural tensions. His juxtaposition of Western climbers with “slightly above-average physical health” and “well above-average wealth” to the Sherpa porters illuminates the stark divide in privilege. This binary is underscored by his astute recognition of the Sherpas’ meager earnings, “between $2,000 and $6,000 per season,” in stark contrast to the paltry “average income” of their native Nepal, succinctly emphasizing the economic injustice prevalent in the industry. The article’s meticulous portrayal of Sherpa laborers ferrying supplies through treacherous terrains epitomizes the physical and emotional toll they endure. By engaging with this theme, the article underscores the need to elevate the worth of Sherpa lives, urging recognition of their sacrifices and contributions.
The article further attains depth through its interplay of ethical conundrums. The article deftly navigates the ethical complexity of the climbing industry’s continuance by showcasing the paradox of its potential cessation. The rhetorical interrogation, “The answer isn’t decreasing, or ending, the climbing business on Everest. The solution is increasing the value of a Sherpa life,” encapsulates his critical perspective on the need for reform and justice, utilizing the literary device of anaphora to enhance the rhythm and impact of his argument.
The title questions and resonates as a moral imperative, challenging readers to contemplate the ethical ramifications of the industry’s hierarchy that places Western climbers at the top and Sherpas at the bottom.
The article’s narrative perspective oscillates between the empirical and the personal, striking an effective balance between journalistic exposition and emotional resonance. The utilization of first-person narrative (“I wrote a story,” “I’d finished reporting”) lends an element of subjectivity, facilitating a more intimate connection between the reader and the author’s perspective. He orchestrates his narrative with a journalistic precision that merges factual reportage with an emotive narrative arc. The avalanche incident serves as the narrative catalyst, propelling the story forward through a series of reflective insights. The narrative structure, underscored by poignant temporal markers, engenders a sense of immediacy, while the articles deft pacing oscillates between heart-wrenching anecdotes and incisive analysis. It also allows the writer to navigate between his objective role as a journalist and his subjective connection to the narrative, thereby fostering a sense of relatability and credibility.
The Value of a Sherpa Life | Themes
At the heart of the narrative lies an acute examination of ethical dilemmas surrounding the Everest climbing industry. The article delves into the disparity between Western climbers, who possess financial resources and seek the thrill of conquering Everest, and Sherpa porters, who shoulder the brunt of physical labor and risks. This socio-economic discrepancy raises profound questions about the ethics of profiting from a venture that places Sherpas in danger for the pleasure of wealthy adventurers.
The Sherpas’ deep-rooted connection to their mountains and ancestral heritage contrasts with the commercialized pursuit of summits by outsiders. This juxtaposition underscores the tension between the reverence Sherpas hold for the mountains and the mercenary motives of Western climbers. The article’s thematic narrative dissects the dissonance between the Sherpas’ reverence for the environment and the utilitarian view of mountains as a space for commercial conquest.
Implicit in the thematic exploration is the pressing issue of moral responsibility and the need for industry reform. The article’s analysis of the industry’s value system highlights the urgency of rectifying the unequal treatment of Sherpa porters. The narrative serves as a call to action, advocating for the transformation of the industry’s mindset from profit-driven capitalism to a model that prioritizes human dignity, equitable compensation, and ethical accountability. This thematic thread underscores the power of conscientious action and the potential to shape a more just climbing industry.
The Value of a Sherpa Life | Title
The title functions as a rhetorical question that prompts readers to delve deeper into the intricate layers of the Everest climbing industry, wherein the lives of the Sherpa porters are both the linchpin and the marginalized. It ingeniously encapsulates the central inquiry of whether the industry’s valuation aligns with the sacrifices and contributions of the Sherpas, or if it perpetuates an unjust hierarchy.
The Value of a Sherpa Life | Character sketch
Sherpa porters emerge as the unsung heroes and central figures in the narrative. They are characterized by their physical strength, unwavering dedication, and deep-rooted connection to the mountains they navigate. Their identity is defined by their role as indispensable laborers within the Everest climbing industry. Enduring physical risks, they carry the weight of the expedition on their shoulders, ferrying supplies through perilous terrains like the Khumbu Icefall and the Lhotse Face.
Their character is defined by resilience and sacrifice. They exhibit a profound sense of duty, engaging in their laborious tasks to ensure the comfort and success of the climbers they guide. Despite their vital contributions, they face glaring socio-economic disparities and inadequate recognition. Their characterization is marked by a juxtaposition of economic inequality, where their earnings remain meager in contrast to the substantial financial gains of the industry and the climbers they assist.
The Value of a Sherpa Life | Literary devices
The article makes use of vivid imagery to create a sensory experience for the readers. Descriptions of the treacherous Khumbu Icefall, the imposing Lhotse Face, and the perilous routes Sherpa porters navigate, evoke a strong visual and emotional response, immersing readers in the harsh environment of Everest.
Throughout the article, the author employs rhetorical questions strategically to provoke thought and encourage readers to engage with the moral and ethical complexities presented, and inviting readers to contemplate the value of indigenous inhabitants.
The repetition of the phrase “Yes, something needs to be done” utilizes anaphora, this technique emphasizes the urgency of addressing the challenges faced by Sherpa porters and underscores the author’s call for action and reform within the industry.
The use of “Sherpa porters” as metonymy refers to the entire Sherpa community’s labor-intensive role within the Everest climbing industry. It captures their contribution, their economic challenges, and their significance in the narrative without explicitly mentioning individual names or roles.
The reference to the author’s previous article, “Disposable Man,” is an allusion that enriches the narrative by providing a historical context and emphasizing the recurring nature of Sherpa deaths on Everest.
The mountains themselves symbolize both a revered cultural heritage and a commercialized frontier. They represent the clash between Sherpa traditions and the commercial interests of adventure tourism, adding a layer of symbolic significance to the narrative.
The use of irony is evident in the portrayal of the Sherpa porters as indispensable to the climbing industry, yet undervalued and undercompensated. The narrative incorporates flashbacks to provide historical context and continuity. The reference to the author’s previous article serves as a flashback that ties past and present together, illustrating the ongoing challenges faced by Sherpa porters.
Overall, Grayson Schaffer’s article emphasizes the need to recognize the Sherpas’ contributions, address their safety and well-being, and reevaluate the value assigned to their lives within the context of the Everest climbing industry.
