Ask the Author: Fergus White
Answered Questions (3)
Fergus White
Hi Tasha,
As I’d mentioned, every kilo feels like 10 up in thin air. There’s no doubt that getting assistance with some weight is a huge advantage. The Sherpas are genetically better at performing with lesser amounts of oxygen, and thus are able to assist.
Even just lessening 5-10 kilos of weight before, say, Camp 3 could well be the difference between having to turn around early due to exhaustion, or being able to get above Camp 4 and having a shot at the summit.
Beforehand, I’d felt that having an individual Sherpa carry personal gear seemed like an undeserved luxury. It’s a harsh environment, and a beating is to be expected. But in retrospect, being the safe side of exhaustion and being able to enjoy the ascending is perhaps a better idea.
As regards what it adds / takes away … lesser weight (and also less bulk while climbing) is the big gain. At the very personal level, of course, all people are different. Some of the climbers had a very close bond with their personal Sherpa. Some of the personal Sherpas were very experienced and this showed through …there would have been advice given and received, and the pair always climbed together. Sometimes the Sherpa would go ahead near climb’s end to prepare the tent / stove in advance. Such a pair would almost always be referred to in the same breath, by the rest of the team.
Some of the Sherpas had had little prior experience. Or there may have been a language barrier. In these cases, there was almost zero relationship … just some gear packed in advance that was dropped at the intended target camp for the day.
For those climbing with an experienced Sherpa where language was no barrier, the resultant close bond would definitely have added to the experience. They progressively ascended into more danger, and respect & friendship grew concurrently.
I hope that answers your question.
Regards … F
As I’d mentioned, every kilo feels like 10 up in thin air. There’s no doubt that getting assistance with some weight is a huge advantage. The Sherpas are genetically better at performing with lesser amounts of oxygen, and thus are able to assist.
Even just lessening 5-10 kilos of weight before, say, Camp 3 could well be the difference between having to turn around early due to exhaustion, or being able to get above Camp 4 and having a shot at the summit.
Beforehand, I’d felt that having an individual Sherpa carry personal gear seemed like an undeserved luxury. It’s a harsh environment, and a beating is to be expected. But in retrospect, being the safe side of exhaustion and being able to enjoy the ascending is perhaps a better idea.
As regards what it adds / takes away … lesser weight (and also less bulk while climbing) is the big gain. At the very personal level, of course, all people are different. Some of the climbers had a very close bond with their personal Sherpa. Some of the personal Sherpas were very experienced and this showed through …there would have been advice given and received, and the pair always climbed together. Sometimes the Sherpa would go ahead near climb’s end to prepare the tent / stove in advance. Such a pair would almost always be referred to in the same breath, by the rest of the team.
Some of the Sherpas had had little prior experience. Or there may have been a language barrier. In these cases, there was almost zero relationship … just some gear packed in advance that was dropped at the intended target camp for the day.
For those climbing with an experienced Sherpa where language was no barrier, the resultant close bond would definitely have added to the experience. They progressively ascended into more danger, and respect & friendship grew concurrently.
I hope that answers your question.
Regards … F
Fergus White
Hi John,
I'd not considered it. Maybe at some stage in the future I might go down that road. Glad to see your book is doing well ... it seems to be a 5-star magnet on Amazon!
Regards,
F
I'd not considered it. Maybe at some stage in the future I might go down that road. Glad to see your book is doing well ... it seems to be a 5-star magnet on Amazon!
Regards,
F
Fergus White
Hi JR,
I’m glad you enjoyed the tale!
A few other readers were surprised that I included the trek-in, but on reading it, they found that it put the whole climb into better perspective. A few who’d read multiple Everest books commented that this was the first time they got any detail on what happens prior to Base Camp. Climbers don’t suddenly quit at Camp 1 because they remember they’d left the gas on back at home! You’ve been up high in the region, so you know what altitude does to us mere humans.
I’ve no plans to go back to the region. There are too many other places to see. And I think I prefer the sun and beers at sea-level!
Regards,
F
I’m glad you enjoyed the tale!
A few other readers were surprised that I included the trek-in, but on reading it, they found that it put the whole climb into better perspective. A few who’d read multiple Everest books commented that this was the first time they got any detail on what happens prior to Base Camp. Climbers don’t suddenly quit at Camp 1 because they remember they’d left the gas on back at home! You’ve been up high in the region, so you know what altitude does to us mere humans.
I’ve no plans to go back to the region. There are too many other places to see. And I think I prefer the sun and beers at sea-level!
Regards,
F
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