Climbers carefully make their way up the steep slopes of Mount Everest.

Courtesy of Netflix

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The World’s Most Dangerous Job

Sherpa guides face deadly conditions to help climbers reach the top of Mount Everest. 

April 14, 2025
By Ellen Song

As You Read, Think About: What are some of the dangers of climbing Mount Everest?

PRAKASH MATHEMA/AFP via Getty Images

Kami Rita Sherpa

Next month, hundreds of people will try to reach the summit of Mount Everest. For many, climbing to the top of the tallest mountain on Earth is a once-in-a-lifetime event. But Kami Rita Sherpa has done it a record 30 times. Last year, he scaled Everest twice in a month. 

Kami Rita is an expert guide who helps others reach the top of the world. Without support from guides like Kami Rita, it would be impossible for most climbers to get there.

Working on Everest means risking serious injury—or even death. As more climbers try to scale Everest’s icy slopes each year, the job of guides is growing more dangerous.

Next month, hundreds of people will try to reach the top of Mount Everest. That’s the tallest mountain on Earth. For many, climbing to the top of Everest is a once-in-a-lifetime event. But Kami Rita Sherpa has done it a record 30 times. Last year, he climbed Everest twice in a month. 

Kami Rita helps others reach the top of the world. He’s an expert guide. Without support from guides like Kami Rita, it would be impossible for most climbers to climb Everest.

Working on Everest means risking serious injury—or even death. More climbers try to scale Everest’s icy slopes each year. The job of guides is growing more dangerous as a result.

Courtesy of Netflix

Climbers carefully make their way up the steep slopes of Mount Everest.

Hard at Work 

Jim McMahon/Mapman®

Everest sits on the border of the Asian countries of China and Nepal. It rises more than 5 miles above sea level. Kami Rita is a member of the Sherpa people, an ethnic group that lives in Nepal’s mountainous regions. (Like many Sherpas, Kami Rita uses “Sherpa” as his last name.) Sherpas are used to living at a high altitude. Many become skilled mountaineers. 

Sherpas have several important jobs on Everest. Some are porters. They haul food, tents, and equipment to the camps where climbers rest during the treacherous journey. Others prepare the icy path to the top. They set ladders and safety ropes to prevent deadly falls. 

As a guide, Kami Rita’s job is to safely lead climbers up and down Everest. If a climber becomes ill or injured, guides may spend hours carrying them to safety. 

Everest sits on the border of China and Nepal, two countries in Asia. It rises more than 5 miles above sea level. Kami Rita is a member of the Sherpa people. They’re an ethnic group that lives near the mountains of Nepal. (Like many Sherpas, Kami Rita uses “Sherpa” as his last name.) Sherpas are used to living at a high altitude. Many become skilled mountaineers. 

Sherpas have important jobs on Everest. Some are porters. They carry food, tents, and equipment to the camps on Everest. That’s where climbers rest during the treacherous journey. Others prepare the icy path to the top. They set ladders and safety ropes to prevent deadly falls. 

As a guide, Kami Rita’s job is to lead climbers up and down Everest. If a climber gets hurt or sick, guides may spend hours carrying them to safety.

Tashi Sherpa/AP Images 

A Sherpa porter carries a massive load toward an Everest base camp.

A Dangerous Climb

The conditions on Everest are punishing, and there is danger at every turn. The trek to the top can take several weeks. Plus, the weather is unpredictable and harsh. Temperatures near the top of the mountain are always below freezing. 

At about 26,000 feet, climbers enter what’s known as the Death Zone. The air has little oxygen, so most climbers wear oxygen masks. Even so, they can suffer from altitude sickness. This condition leaves them weak and confused—and it can be deadly.

In the past century, more than 320 people have died on Everest. That includes more than 100 Sherpas. They’re at greater risk than other climbers because they often pass through the most dangerous sections several times.  

The conditions on Everest are punishing. There is danger at every turn. The trek to the top can take several weeks. Plus, the weather is unpredictable and harsh. It’s always below freezing near the top of the mountain. 

At about 26,000 feet, climbers enter an area called the Death Zone. The air has little oxygen, so most climbers wear oxygen masks. Still, they can suffer from altitude sickness. This condition leaves them weak and confused. It can also be deadly.

In the past century, more than 320 people have died on Everest. That includes more than 100 Sherpas. They’re at greater risk than other climbers. That’s because they often pass through the most dangerous sections several times.  

The Climb Continues

Why would hundreds of Sherpas do such a dangerous job? One answer is money. There aren’t many jobs available where the Sherpas live. Experienced guides like Kami Rita can earn $10,000 or more for a single trip up the mountain.  

Kami Rita plans to scale Everest again this year. After 30 years on the job, he says there’s still something incredible about climbing Everest.

“It’s not about getting to the top of the mountain,” he says. “It’s about helping different people make their big dreams come true.”

Why would hundreds of Sherpas do such a dangerous job? One answer is money. There aren’t many jobs available where Sherpas live. Experienced guides like Kami Rita can earn $10,000 or more for a single climb.  

Kami Rita plans to scale Everest again this year. After 30 years on the job, he says there’s still something incredible about climbing Everest.

“It’s not about getting to the top of the mountain,” he says. “It’s about helping different people make their big dreams come true.”

Climbing Mount Everest

Before reaching the summit of Everest, climbers stop to rest at a series of camps along the way. Here’s the route most of them take from the south side of the mountain. 

Before reaching the summit of Everest, climbers stop to rest at a series of camps along the way. Here’s the route most of them take from the south side of the mountain. 

Alan Arnette, Climbing Coach (Everest); Sources: alanarnette.com; U.S. Geological Survey

Note: All figures and the placement of camps are approximate.

  1. Based on the article, who are the Sherpas?
  2. What are some of the tasks Sherpas do on Mount Everest? Why are these tasks important?
  3. According to the article, why are many Sherpas willing to face the dangers involved in doing their jobs on Mount Everest?
  1. Based on the article, who are the Sherpas?
  2. What are some of the tasks Sherpas do on Mount Everest? Why are these tasks important?
  3. According to the article, why are many Sherpas willing to face the dangers involved in doing their jobs on Mount Everest?
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