Nepalese authorities were meeting with Sherpa mountain guides Tuesday in an attempt to avert a climbing strike after the deadliest avalanche ever recorded on Mount Everest killed at least 13 of the guides.
A boycott by Nepal’s ethnic Sherpa community could critically disrupt the Everest climbing season, which is key to the livelihood of thousands of Nepali guides and porters. Without Sherpa support, it would be almost impossible for climbers to reach the summit.
Sherpas have threatened to boycott the climbing season unless the government meets a series of demands by next week, including more insurance money, more financial aid for the families of the victims and new regulations that would ensure climbers’ rights.
Maddhu Sudan Burlakoti, head of Nepal’s mountaineering department, said all the demands would be discussed and a recommendation would be made to the government later Tuesday.
