Sherpa people: Difference between revisions
| Line 42: | Line 42: | ||
[[File:Sherpa guide.jpg|thumb|A Sherpa guide]] |
[[File:Sherpa guide.jpg|thumb|A Sherpa guide]] |
||
Sherpas were of immeasurable value to early [[List of explorers|explorers]] of the [[Himalaya]]n region, serving as guides and [[porter (carrier)|porter]]s at the extreme altitudes of the peaks and passes in the region. Today, the term is used casually to refer to almost any guide or porter hired for [[mountaineering]] expeditions in the Himalayas. However, in Nepal, Sherpas insist on making the distinction between themselves and general porters, as Sherpas often serve in a more guide-like role and command higher pay and respect from the community. |
Sherpas were of immeasurable value to early [[List of explorers|explorers]] of the [[Himalaya]]n region, serving as guides and [[porter (carrier)|porter]]s at the extreme altitudes of the peaks and passes in the region. Today, the term is used casually to refer to almost any guide or porter hired for [[mountaineering]] expeditions in the Himalayas. However, in Nepal, Sherpas insist on making the distinction between themselves and general porters, as Sherpas often serve in a more guide-like role and command higher pay and respect from the community. |
||
Sherpas are renowned in the international [[climbing]] and mountaineering community for their hardiness, expertise, and experience at high altitudes. |
Sherpas are renowned in the international [[climbing]] and mountaineering community for their hardiness, expertise, and experience at high altitudes.[[Mountain Sherpa trekking & expedition http//:www.guidenepal.com] is reputed Sherpa run company based in Kathmandu, Nepal organize many trekking & expedition anually in Nepal.They use very honest,professional Sherpa Guide & Porter in order to provide high quality service for their valued Clients. |
||
It has been speculated that a portion of the Sherpas' climbing ability is the result of a genetic adaptation to living in high altitudes. Some of these adaptations include unique hemoglobin-binding enzymes, doubled nitric oxide production, hearts that can utilize glucose, and lungs with an increased sensitivity to low oxygen.<ref>Kamler, K. (2004). ''Surviving the extremes: What happens to the body and mind at the limits of human endurance''. New York: Penguin.</ref> |
It has been speculated that a portion of the Sherpas' climbing ability is the result of a genetic adaptation to living in high altitudes. Some of these adaptations include unique hemoglobin-binding enzymes, doubled nitric oxide production, hearts that can utilize glucose, and lungs with an increased sensitivity to low oxygen.<ref>Kamler, K. (2004). ''Surviving the extremes: What happens to the body and mind at the limits of human endurance''. New York: Penguin.</ref> |
||
Revision as of 04:11, 3 July 2009
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 150,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Nepal, India, China (Tibet) | |
| Languages | |
| Sherpa | |
| Religion | |
| Predominantly Tibetan Buddhism - 93% Minority Hinduism, Bön, Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Tibetans, Jirels |
Bhotia, Sherpa, Thakali
Gurung
Kiranti, Rai, Limbu
Newari
Pahari
Tamang
The Sherpa (Tibetan:ཤར་པ། "eastern people", from shar "east" + pa "people") are an ethnic group from the most mountainous region of Nepal, high in the Himalayas. Sherpas migrated from eastern Tibet to Nepal within the last 300-400 years.[1]
The term Sherpa is also used to refer to local people, typically men, who are employed as guides for mountaineering expeditions in the Himalayas, particularly Mt. Everest. They are highly regarded as elite mountaineers and experts in their local terrain. Most Sherpas live in the west regions; however, some live farther west in the Rolwaling valley and in the Helambu region north of Kathmandu. Pangboche is the Sherpas' oldest village in Nepal. Sherpas speak their own Sherpa language which in many ways resembles a dialect of Tibetan. The Jirels, native people of Jiri, are ethnically related to the Sherpas. In India, Sherpas also inhabit the towns of Darjeeling and Kalimpong and the Indian state of Sikkim. The 2001 Nepal Census recorded 154,622 Sherpas in that country, of which 92.83% were Buddhists, 6.26% were Hindus, 0.63% were Christians and 0.20% were Bön.
Mountaineering
Sherpas were of immeasurable value to early explorers of the Himalayan region, serving as guides and porters at the extreme altitudes of the peaks and passes in the region. Today, the term is used casually to refer to almost any guide or porter hired for mountaineering expeditions in the Himalayas. However, in Nepal, Sherpas insist on making the distinction between themselves and general porters, as Sherpas often serve in a more guide-like role and command higher pay and respect from the community. Sherpas are renowned in the international climbing and mountaineering community for their hardiness, expertise, and experience at high altitudes.[[Mountain Sherpa trekking & expedition http//:www.guidenepal.com] is reputed Sherpa run company based in Kathmandu, Nepal organize many trekking & expedition anually in Nepal.They use very honest,professional Sherpa Guide & Porter in order to provide high quality service for their valued Clients.
It has been speculated that a portion of the Sherpas' climbing ability is the result of a genetic adaptation to living in high altitudes. Some of these adaptations include unique hemoglobin-binding enzymes, doubled nitric oxide production, hearts that can utilize glucose, and lungs with an increased sensitivity to low oxygen.[2]
Famous Sherpas
One of the most well known Sherpas is Tenzing Norgay. In 1953, he and Edmund Hillary became the first people known to have reached the summit of Mount Everest.[3][4][5] Norgay's son Jamling Tenzing Norgay also climbed Everest in honor of his father with the famous Ed Viesturs during the disastrous year of 1996.
Two Sherpas, Pemba Dorjie and Lhakpa Gelu, recently competed to see who could climb Everest from Basecamp the fastest. On May 23, 2003, Dorjie summited in 12 hours and 46 minutes. Three days later, Gelu beat his record by two hours, summiting in 10 hours 46 minutes. On May 21, 2004, Dorjie again improved the record by more than two hours with a total time of 8 hours and 10 minutes.[6]
On May 21, 2009, Apa Sherpa successfully summited Everest for the nineteenth time, breaking his own record for most successful ascents.[7] Perhaps the most famous Nepalese female mountaineer is Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, the first Nepalese female climber who died during the descent. Another woman Sherpa who is well known is the two-time Everest summiteer Pemba Doma Sherpa, who died after falling from Lhotse on May 22, 2007.[8]
See also
References
- ^ Oppitz, Michael (1968). Geschichte und Sozialordnung der Sherpa, Teil 1 (PDF) (in German). Innsbrück and Munich, Germany: Universitäts-Verlag Wagner. ISBN 978-3703010392.
- ^ Kamler, K. (2004). Surviving the extremes: What happens to the body and mind at the limits of human endurance. New York: Penguin.
- ^ Christchurch City Libraries, Famous New Zealanders. Retrieved 23 January 2007.
- ^ Everest not as tall as thought Agençe France-Presse (on abc.net.au), 10 October 2005
- ^ PBS, NOVA, First to Summit, Updated November 2000. Retrieved March 31, 2007
- ^ "New Everest Speed Record upheld". EverestNews.com. Retrieved 2007-02-04.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "Super sherpa's new Everest record". BBC News. May 16, 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-16.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "Famous female Nepal climber dead", BBC News, 23 May, 2007