The Sherpa guides had gone early in the morning, as usual, before the climbers begin the assent, to fix ropes when the avalanche hit them just below Camp 2. The accident had occurred between base camp and Camp 1 in the chaotic and extremely dangerous ice fall. The ice fall is composed of a steep glacier which fractures as it slides over cliffs, forming massive crevasses, and the sherpas have to find and maintain a new route through every year. The survivors were airlifted to Katmandu in the intensive care unit at the hospital.
The commercial expeditions on Everest are charged up to $50,000 (£30,000) to reach the upper slopes of the mountain in relative safety. The role of the local men hired for the risky job of securing the route is crucial. Last year more than 500 climbers reached the summit of Everest. Eight people died on Everest last year, including one of the best-known and experienced local sherpa guides.
