KATHMANDU: Kami Rita Sherpa had stood at the top of world just days earlier, exultant at having summited Mount Everest for a record 28th time.
The Nepali climber was given a hero's welcome on his return to Kathmandu, but all that joy appeared to have deserted him as he surveyed life's highs and lows from an armchair in the small, neat living room of his rented apartment, while his wife poured tea.
"There is no future in Nepal," the 53-year-old father of two told Reuters over the weekend.
"Why stay here?" he asked, speaking in his native Nepali and a smattering of broken English. "We need a future for ourselves... for our children."
Wearing a baseball cap bearing the legend "Everest Man", and his face blackened by wind and snow burns, Kami Rita is clearly proud of his achievements. But he is also grateful that money he made as a guide with mountain expeditions helped him move to Nepal's capital so that his children could have the education he never received.
His son, 24, is studying tourism and his daughter, 22, is doing an Information Technology course.
"This would not have been possible had I continued to stay at Thame and not taken to climbing," said Kami Rita, who left school in his mountain village when he was around 12 years old.
Awards and Guinness World Record certificates fill the showcase behind him, and posters of Kami Rita on Mount Everest adorn the walls, but he talked of immigrating to the United States to find new opportunities for his family.
Kami Rita was born in the same Himalayan village as Tenzing Norgay, the sherpa who together with New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary made the first summit of Mount Everest 70 years ago.
The village of Thame is in Solukhumbu, a district that has become a Mecca for mountaineers since that first successful ascent on May 29, 1953.
Located on the border with China's Tibet, Solukhumbu's crowning glory is Mount Everest, the world's highest peak at 8,849 metres (29,032 feet), but it also hosts Lhotse (8,516 metres), Malaku (8,481 metres), Cho Oyu (8,201 metres), Gyachung Kang (7,952 metres) and Nuptse (7,855 metres) - all names that any top mountaineer would want on his CV.
Sherpas, an ethnic group living in the Everest region, have always been the backbone of mountain expeditions. They fix ropes, ladders, carry loads and also cook, making anything between $2,500 and $16,500 or more, depending on experience, during a single expedition.
But young sherpas, according to Kami Rita, are turning away from that life.
"The new generation of sherpas is not taking to climbing. They want to go abroad in search of a better career," he said. "In 10-15 years there will be fewer sherpas to guide climbers. Their number is already low now."
Many renowned sherpa guides have left Nepal in search of better opportunities in the West, mainly in the United States. Indeed, the famous Tenzing Norgay also immigrated, but only as far as neighbouring India, where he worked for a climbing school.
Mountain climbing and trekking attract thousands of foreigners to Nepal every year, contributing more than 4% to the $40 billion economy. The country earned $5.8 million in permit fees - $5 million from Mount Everest alone – during this year's March-May climbing season.
Hiking tour company officials reckon more than 500,000 people are employed in tourism, but many remain economically vulnerable in this impoverished nation of 30 million people.
"The government does little for the welfare of the sherpas," Kami Rita said, urging authorities to launch welfare schemes like a provident fund, retirement benefit and education facilities for their children.
Expeditions hiring sherpas must take out life insurance for them, but the pay out is just 1.5 million Nepali rupees (about $11,300). Three sherpas died last month crossing the treacherous Khumbu Icefall on Everest.
"This should be increased to 5 million rupees (about $38,000)," said Kami Rita, gently rubbing a bruise on his cheek.
Reuters
Sat Jun 03 2023
Kami Rita Sherpa, 53, a Nepali Mountaineer who climbed Mount Everest for a record 28 times, speaks during an interview at his rented apartment in Kathmandu, Nepal. - REUTERS
One million children in Gaza need mental health support for depression, anxiety - UN
The ceasefire has provided a vital reprieve from relentless hostilities for Palestinians, says Tom Fletcher.
Coffee and snake - Taipei pet shop aims to break down prejudice against the animal
The snake has a mixed reputation in traditional Taiwanese and Chinese culture as a symbol of either good or bad.
What are the Taliban's restrictions on Afghan women?
Here are the details of the crackdown on rights imposed by the Afghanistan's Taliban administration.
A tech-savvy Maha Kumbh: India aims for a safer religious festival
Police say they are using AI-based software to count the number of people and prevent stampedes.
Trump 2.0: Crypto bet big on Trump in 2024. Can it cash in?
Crypto-aligned interests pumped millions of dollars into campaigns for President Donald Trump and pro-crypto candidates.
PKAUM urges for UM management and campus community to come together against sexual harassment
Academics have been criticized before for being in their ivory tower and out of touch with the realities and sufferings of ordinary citizens.
'Cute and murderous': How Squid Game's iconic killer doll came to life
The initial inspiration for Young-hee came from a girl of the same name on the cover of old primary school textbooks in South Korea.
US friends and foes buckle up for new 'America first' era
America's partners and adversaries both appear to be scrambling to adapt to that new reality.
Pineapple pizza debate heats up as UK pizzeria sets 100-pound price tag
As pizza has become popular globally, foreign innovations in toppings have often left Italians perplexed and aghast.
ANALYSIS - Hamas' tight grip on Gaza complicates plan for lasting peace
Hamas remains deeply entrenched in Gaza and its hold on power represents a challenge to implementing a permanent ceasefire.
Kashmir's saffron growers experiment with indoor farming as climate pressures mount
Pampore is known for its farms that grow the world's most expensive spice - the red-hued saffron.
Trump whisperer? Italy's Meloni navigates a high-stakes relationship
Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni are fast forging a new transatlantic "special relationship".
[COLUMNIST] Ceasefire in Gaza and lessons to be learnt
The main factor why Israel failed in the attack is because of the steadfastness and perseverance of the people of Gaza in enduring the suffering.
Southeast Asian cities among world's most polluted, ranking shows
Air pollution is caused by a combination of crop-related burning, industrial pollution and heavy traffic.
Thousands flock to see rare, smelly corpse flower bloom in Sydney
The plant typically does not bloom more than once every few years and it lasts only about a day.
[COLUMNIST] The WBB system: A symptom of deeper failures in public healthcare policymaking
Healthcare workers in govt services are still awaiting credible solutions to their plights, but it seems their wait may be far from over.
60 per cent of women in Malaysia have never undergone pap smear
Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer that women suffer from globally and the sixth leading cancer in Malaysia.
Thailand and China to set up coordination centre to combat scam call networks
Thai police to set up a coordination centre in Bangkok, while China plans another in Mae Sot to strengthen joint efforts.
ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrants for two Taliban leaders in Afghanistan
The ICC accuses two Taliban leaders in Afghanistan of persecuting women and girls.
PETRA to drive energy agenda during ASEAN Chairmanship, bridging boundaries and building prosperity
This will improve the lives of our citizens through economic growth that prioritises the inclusivity and sustainability agenda, says PETRA.