Widows of Nepal's Sherpa guides fear rising climate-fuelled risks

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However, as climate change accelerates melting of glaciers and ice, the work is becoming increasing perilous – and with few benefits available to bereft families, more mountain guides are pondering whether it might be time to give up the profession.

In 2022, seven people died on Manaslu, including four sherpas and three climbers, according to the tourism department. Over the last decade, at least 177 people have died on Nepal's mountains - 68 of them sherpas - due to avalanches or accidents.

Mingma Sherpa, chairman of Nepali firm Seven Summit Treks, said he had heard of about 500 sherpa guides leaving the industry and going abroad to seek other work in the last five years - and that many more young people planned to follow suit.

The main drivers were the growing dangers and the lack of social security or welfare support - beyond the mandatory life compensation - for guides who die during expeditions, he said.

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