How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Unable to comprehend that this brown-skinned woman of the hill was addressing him in perfectly enunciated King's English, [he] continued to employ his comical pidgin argot. (4.13)
Oh man, we're fresh out of cringes after reading this passage. But this is par for the course on Everest: With so many wealthy (and usually white) foreigners flooding the region, boneheaded prejudices like this are as common as the cold. While the influx of cash they bring provides many benefits to the region, that doesn't excuse nonsense like this.
Quote #2
In 1921, the British embarked on their first expedition to Everest, and their decision to engage Sherpas as helpers sparked a transformation of Sherpa culture. (4.15)
It all started in 1921. Before that, Sherpa culture was deeply isolated; in fact, they fled the lowlands in the first place to avoid persecution from nearby communities. Still, they love climbing as much as anyone and won't miss a chance to reach the top of Everest either.
Quote #3
Ever since 1922, when seven Sherpas were killed in an avalanche during the second British expedition, a disproportionate number of Sherpas have died on Everest—fifty-three all told. (4.17)
This is the untold story of Everest. While great focus is placed on the Western explorers who have died in pursuit of the summit, very little attention is given to the low-paid Sherpa climbers who have lost their lives along the way. In 2014, nearly two decades after the 1996 disaster, an avalanche killed sixteen Sherpas, leading many to protest for better conditions and wages for Sherpa workers.