First-Time Mountain Climber? Video Of This Sherpa Will Inspire You

The Sherpas, residing in the high mountain regions, are renowned for their indispensable role in Mount Everest expeditions. This Nepalese ethnic group is celebrated for their diligence, tranquillity and courage. They play a vital role in ensuring the success of climbing ventures by assisting with loads, establishing camps, providing care, cooking meals, and maintaining essential equipment like ropes and ladders. Without their expertise and assistance, the majority of climbers would find it impossible to reach the summit.

Known for their exceptional strength, a recent viral video showcases a glimpse of their remarkable abilities. The video, shared on Instagram, begins with a foreign climber attempting to carry a large load. As he lifts it onto his shoulders, he begins to tremble and lose his balance. In the next shot, a Sherpa effortlessly lifts the load onto his back.

The overlaying text on the video reads, “Me vs Sherpa.” “Sherpas are built different,” read the caption accompanying the post.

How do Sherpas Carry Heavy Loads?

The mountain skills and endurance that Sherpas possess are attributed to their unique physical characteristics. Scientists have found that at high altitudes, Sherpas produce 30% more power than the average person. They also have more capillaries per square centimetre of their muscles compared to climbers from lower elevations. This helps them avoid acute mountain sickness (AMS) at high altitudes and enables them to carry loads double their size to the summit without difficulty.

According to a 2017 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), Sherpas have evolved to become superhuman mountain climbers. They are exceptionally efficient at producing the energy needed to power their bodies even when oxygen is scarce.

For some time, scientists have understood that people respond differently to high altitudes. While most climbers need extra oxygen to climb Mount Everest, which is 8,848 meters above sea level, a few climbers have managed to do so without it. Sherpas, notably, can live at high altitudes without apparent health consequences.