Sherpas on Mount Everest are facing an uncertain future as plans to introduce heavy-lift drones for high-altitude transport gain momentum. The initiative, which involves using Chinese drones to carry equipment, oxygen cylinders, and waste, has sparked backlash from Nepalese politicians, trade unions, and the Sherpa community, who fear it will replace their livelihood.
The drones, capable of carrying up to 15kg, promise to make Everest expeditions more efficient, reducing the need for Sherpas to risk their lives navigating treacherous terrain such as the Khumbu Icefall. However, critics argue that the initiative could leave thousands of mountain guides without work. Ajay Kumar Rai, general secretary of the Nepal Trade Union Congress, voiced his concerns, telling The Telegraph UK, “For six months, they risk their lives on Everest, and for the rest of the year, they have no work. If drones start replacing them, what will they do?”
The pilot programme has already demonstrated the potential of drone technology, with the DJI Flycart 30 transporting up to 225kg of equipment per hour between Everest’s Base Camp and Camp I—a task that would traditionally require 14 Sherpas trekking for six hours. Nepalese officials argue that the move could save lives by reducing the risks Sherpas face from avalanches and collapsing ice.
Despite these safety benefits, Sherpa advocates and climbers warn of unintended consequences. Mountaineer Adriana Brownlee acknowledged that drones could assist with waste removal and reduce Sherpa workloads but cautioned that their presence might distract climbers, introducing new dangers.
As Everest’s climbing industry evolves, Nepal’s government faces mounting pressure to balance safety innovations with job security. While drones may lessen the deadly burden on Sherpas, critics insist that alternative employment solutions must be found before their traditional roles are erased from the world’s highest peak.
