Much of the media coverage around Everest this year has focused on a brace of unusual speed ascents that have been framed as a game changer for aspiring Everest climbers. But there was another technological advance that is likely to change the job description for Sherpas much more significantly.

The two speed ascents were unusual in their choice of starting point. These speedsters weren’t trying to leg it to the summit from base camp in the quickest possible time, but to reach the summit in a mi...