The indigenous people of the Himalayas, often referred to as Sherpas, are without a doubt some of the most incredible members of our species.
Just take a look at this video of master mountaineer Gesman Tamang, rescuing a comrade who fell 200 feet down a crevasse, 20,000 feet up on the slopes of Everest, or Sagarmatha, in their language.
Whilst shoveling out the snow to free the trapped Sherpa, Tamang and another Sherpa can be heard laughing and cracking jokes during what is a textbook example of the single worst place a climber could ever find themselves in.
Mountain glaciers are literally rivers of ice, and they can move several feet per day. Crevasses form during this slow-motion grind down the mountain, as the top layer of ice isn’t as strong, and cracks rather than resists the pressure.
Crevasses can be 200 feet deep or more, and can form or expand in just a matter of hours.
“It’s a miracle that this man survived falling into a crevasse like this,” Tamang wrote on his truly worthwhile Instagram account. “Luckily, our timely response and teamwork made it possible to get him out safely.”
“My gratitude goes out to all those involved in this rescue, and also to the Sherpa himself. His strength and resilience played a significant role in his survival.”
Talk about laughing in the face of death.
They rescued the trapped Sherpa, who can be seen in the video wearing an oxygen mask, by using ropes and other climbing equipment.
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During this year’s climbing season, GNN reported on another Sherpa guide who convinced his client to abandon the attempt to summit Everest so he could rescue a Malaysian climber trapped in the Death Zone where humans can’t survive without oxygen masks.
In the video he posted to his equally worthwhile Instagram account, he can be seen wrapping the injured climber in a blanket, tying it up with cords, and carrying him down on his back.
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A common surname, ‘Sherpa’ is actually a slang term for “Eastern People”.
These super-human Himalayans hold dozens of world mountain climbing records and have epigenetic adaptations and spiritual beliefs suited for living at high altitudes.
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