The Ice Doctors of Everest: Earlier in my career, I was assigned to spend five weeks on Mt. Everest, not trying to summit, but documenting the unsung heroes who shoulder the loads so others can. More specifically, I photographed the “Ice Doctors” — a team of four Sherpa, clad in old, hand-me-down climbing gear and even jeans, that build and regularly fix and engineer the route through the Khumbu Ice Fall on the south side of the mountain. I spent weeks chasing them through the creaking crevasses and thin air meanders. An avalanche nearly took me and one of the route builders rescued me from falling into a crevasse (my pack caught me initially after the ice ramp broke).
The entire time, I lived in total amazement and awe of these men, young and old, who did so much, for so little pay. I hope their legacy and tradition is remembered and recognized by the thousands that come to climb each year.
The Khumbu icefall stretches from basecamp at 18,000 feet up to roughly 21,500 feet and is statistically the most dangerous part of the mountain. It is a frozen, chaotic mess, that haunts, humbles and mesmerizes.
Here are a few unpublished frames from my time there living amidst its teeth — listening to its fear-inducing lullabies.
After publishing the story with @kevinfedarkoauthor, we were able to get these quiet heroes brand new sponsored team outfits with custom patches.
To all the amazing Sherpa “Ice Doctors”, porters and guides and climabers currently on Everest, wishing you safe passage this season and beyond.
#Everest #mountaineering #adventure #Nepal #himalaya
📷 @pedromcbride
Ps - Dog image - that cute pup followed me to base camp, stayed with me for 3 days and then just left.
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