Bernadette McDonald & Jan Sacherer to Discuss Himalayan Mountain Climbing Workers

Pssst! Boulder. Denver.

One of the greatest writers on mountaineering and one of the smartest people on Himalayan societies are getting together for a chat at the Boulder Bookstore.

Yep. Bernadette MacDonald rocked the climbing world with her books Brotherhood of the Rope , Freedom Climbers , and many other titles, the most recent of which is Alpine Rising : Sherpas, Baltis, and the Triumph of Local Climbers in the Greater Ranges.

Jan Sacherer is well known for being a big part of early 1960s climbing in Boulder. She was one of Layton Kor's best friends and later married Frank Sacherer, the famed Yosemite freeclimber. She has been studying Himalayan communities for decades.

The talk will be Thursday, May 30 at 6:30 pm.

Powder: Tell us about Alpine Rising for people who haven’t read it.

Bernadette: Alpine Rising is about mountain workers from Pakistan and Nepal. They are climbers who have been enabling western climbers to realize their dreams in the Greater Ranges from the early 1900s. The book is a look at the evolution for local climbers from the time when they were unskilled, badly equipped, poorly paid and often unnamed in the expedition reports of the early exploration of the Himalaya and Karakoram until today, where they are dominating the highest mountains, guiding, controlling the businesses of guiding and in some cases, becoming superstars in the process. It didn't happen overnight and there are a number of turning points along the way that I have tried to highlight in order to better understand the transition.

Powder: What are the issues facing indigenous communities in the Himalaya?

Bernadette: Some of the issues are the same as they have always been: poverty, inequality, poor educational opportunities. But every community is different. The Khumbu Region, although it is without question the most affluent in all of Nepal, is facing overcrowding, just like tourism destinations worldwide. Other regions like the Rolwaling Valley are emptying out because most residents would prefer to live in Kathmandu. Thanks to the overuse of helicopters to shuttle people and supplies to base camps (or beyond), local porters and tea houses are losing out on the business of people moving through their valleys slowly, using and paying for services.

Powder: I’ve read about the paving of all the old rough roads which is both degrading the trekking experience but it’s what the people want. Any thoughts?

Bernadette: Who are the people who want the roads to be paved? As a trekker, this is a bad idea. As a local teahouse owner or porter, I would think this eliminates their business if people are passing through that much faster.

Powder: We know some of the effects of climate. But probably not that many. Tell us about climate-related issues?

Bernadette: I am not an expert on this but from a climbing perspective, it's well known that the routes are changing and the overhead hazards are changing. It's different every year, thanks to the speed with which climate change is accelerating. Just like in our mountains, some routes will likely become impassable, or at least too dangerous to justify.

Powder: What do you want people to get out of your presentation?

Bernadette: My book is about respect. Respect for a group of people who work hard for others in extremely dangerous situations. I want people to understand that, to acknowledge their efforts and to learn their names. No more "my Sherpa," or "three HAPS." What are their names? I know it's impossible to get to know everyone in the book, but it would be great if people chose a few individuals and followed them on social media, got to know their dreams, their families. It's so easy now, but I just don't think we show enough interest.

Powder: Will you be presenting this talk any place else?

Bernadette: No, I am doing various things in other places, but this is the only conversation with Jan.

Of course, the Boulder Bookstore is a fun place. See below:

And while you're here, please buy a copy of Alpine Rising . Sales benefit the Khumbu Climbing Center (Nepal) and the ASCEND climbing program for girls (Pakistan).