Summiting Mount Everest is not just a challenging task but a moment of pride for entire life. It is a dream moment that you can boast about reaching the highest altitude in the world. But this precious moment does not come that easily. You need to be guided by Icefall Doctors to reach and return safely.
Though thousands of climbers have successfully summited Everest, many have lost their lives too. So, it’s only icefall doctors who can save your life, guiding the best they can. They are the real heroes behind the Everest summit and the short base camp stories. Now, you might be thinking, who are icefall doctors, and what do they do on Everest?
Well, Icefall doctors are actually the Sherpas on Everest, Nepal. They are not professional doctors, but they are experienced Himalayan guides who will take you to the top of Everest. Without their guidance and support, summiting the highest peak is almost impossible. There are many success stories as well as stories of failures associated with Sherpas in Nepal.
Despite the huge role of these icefall doctors in the Khumbu Region, they are hardly appreciated or remembered. Their bravery, lifesaving hacks, and contribution to the Everest have always been ignored. In the below segment, I will explain why these heroes need appreciation and what they have done.
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What is the meaning of icefall doctors?
Icefall Doctor in Everest
Icefall Doctors means a team of experienced Sherpa mountain guides who establish and maintain a safe Everest summit route through the Khumbu Icefall, which is one of the most dangerous sections on Everest. They are not professional doctors or medical practitioners, but they are saviors, so they are considered doctors.
They have been born and lived their lives in the Khumbu Region, so they are deeply connected with the snows. They can survive extreme cold and breathe even in low-oxygen circumstances. Many Sherpas have also climbed Everest as well as other highest peaks without oxygen. They have climbed Everest so many times that they are the experts in finding routes and taking you to the top safely.
What do icefall doctors do?
Icefall Doctors (Sherpas) in Everest actually work like doctors, saving the lives of the climbers. They are responsible for showing them the path and guiding them till the journey finishes. They help the summiters with acclimatization and trekking, providing effective tips.
Icefall Doctor Opening the Route on Everest Journey 2025
If anyone struggles with continuing the trip, they are the first to rescue them from that situation. With the proper guidance of the icefall doctors, many climbers have successfully climbed the Everest. They know how to handle the people at the highest altitude in the world.
Further, these brave souls are responsible for fixing ropes to create a path to the top of an unstable ice slope. So, they are doctors of snow, making your journey easy and safe on the Mount Everest trekking
History of Icefall Doctors
Sherpas have been associated with the Everest since it was first climbed successfully. Back in 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa made it to history with a successful summit. So, the presence of Sherpa became vital for every group that summits the highest peak.
Sherpa started working as a trekking guide, porter, and route manager. They used to create rope paths for climbers to safely reach the destination. Their efforts to navigate the risky snow paths and finally deal with the unstable ice formations are really praiseworthy. They bravely created paths through handling Khumbu Icefall.
Likewise, Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) started employing Sherpas people and providing formal training to them in the 1990s. After that, considering the roles of Sherpas in Everest, they were given the name Icefall Doctors.
Icefall Doctors Documentary
Many documentaries have been made based on Icefall Doctors. They contain a good plot covering the lives of Sherpas Nepal. They are actually depicted as brave souls, often regarded as the unsung heroes of Everest. In 2021, a documentary called The Icefall Doctor was released, focusing on the dangerous lives, bravery, and cultural significance of Sherpas in the Everest Region.
The documentary also talked about the legacy of Sherpa heroes and their rescue activities at high altitudes. They mainly focused on Icefall Doctors like Ang Sarki Sherpa, Dawa Jangbu Sherpa, Nima Tenji Sherpa, and Dawa Nuru Sherpa, among others. After watching the documentary, you will find out why they are called the Sherpas true heroes of Mount Everest.
Where can I watch Icefall Doctors?
Icefall Sherpa team on Everest Expedition
You can watch Icefall Doctors in the Everest Region of Nepal. Yes, it is a brilliant idea to watch the Sherpa lifestyle and their mountain contribution live. They are actually the path makers at the Khumbu Icefall, so they work technically rather than openly in everyone’s presence.
If trekking in this area is not possible, then you can enjoy the history and activities of the Icefall Doctors as a documentary. You can watch a documentary called The Icefall Doctors on Vimeo on Demand. It is a series combining many episodes covering the Sherpas’ contribution to Everest. You will discover the Sherpa heroes of Everest.
Who was the hero of Mount Everest?
Tenzing Norgay Sherpa is often regarded as the hero Sherpa, being the first ever Nepali to summit Everest successfully. Similarly, many Sherpas are there who have been doing well in this field and are considered heroes of Mount Everest. Despite their life-risking efforts and contribution to the Everest, they are given less credit. They are still unsung heroes who create history every time.
The highest number of times Everest summiter, Kami Rita Sherpa, is also a Sherpa Hero. He has successfully climbed the highest peak 31st times, setting the world record. Other brave Sherpas are there who are actually the heroes of Everest. Without them, summiting Everest becomes almost impossible.
Icefall Doctors Everest 2025
Khumbu Icefall and the Sherpas
Brace yourself for an amazing journey to the highest peak this year. In May 2025, many people successfully climbed Everest and set many records. While we talk about the Everest climbers, we should not forget about the contribution by Sherpa guides and Sherpa porters. Icefall Doctors Everest 2025 are also worth praising. Some of the unsung heroes of this journey are as follows:
Ang Sarki Sherpa: Ang is the longest-serving member among the Icefall Doctors. He remained the Team A Leader and led his team to victory. He played a major role in navigating the dangerous Khumbu Icefall this year.
Dawa Jangbu Sherpa: Dawa remained a Team B Leader. He was also responsible for establishing and maintaining a safe route in the Khumbu Icefall section.
Other Icefall Doctors such as Dawa Nuru Sherpa, Nima Tenji Sherpa, Lakpa Sona Sherpa, and Tendu Sherpa are amongst the hero Sherpas this year. Being active members of the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, they served not just as a tour guide but also maintained a clean and peaceful journey. Sherpas, true heroes of Everest, have always stood by Everest’s side no matter what the weather or difficulties.
How many Sherpas die each year?
Though there is no accurate measure of deaths, about 2-3 Sherpas die each year on Everest. The number varies as per the season, weather conditions, accidents, and emergency situations. In the last decade, about 100 people died on Everest, among them about half are Sherpas.
What do Sherpas eat?
Sherpas in Nepal actually are dependent on locally grown crops and veggies. The staple diet, such as Dhindo, Dal Bhat, or Roti, is eaten daily. The common crops are barley, maize, millet, and buckwheat. Similarly, potatoes are produced and consumed in large amounts.
Yak Milk, cheese, and Butter tea are common foods. They also eat momos, thukpa, Sherpa Stew, and chhyang (alcohol made with rice or millet). They also include beans, peas, mustard greens, and radishes in their diet.
Sherpas Everest
Sherpas on Everest are so famous for their brave acts at the highest altitude. They are literally the lifesavers creating paths in the very risky sections of Everest. Their inheritance is made to fit in the snowy world without much difficulty. Yes, they can adjust to extreme cold and survive in low oxygen as well.
They know different tips and tricks to stay active for some days in the Himalayas. With their guidance, your Everest trekking will be smooth and safe. They are considered heroes of Everest and the Icefall Doctors.
Besides these, their friendly nature and helpful attitude are a bonus in the mountain region. Their hospitality adds more pleasure to this tough journey. So, Sherpas Nepal are the ultimate support in the Mount Everest trip.
Sherpas Clothing
Sherpa clothing is a typical dress depicting the Himalayan Culture. Mostly woolen and warm clothes to prevent extreme cold. Their dress also resembles Tibetan clothing. Homemade woolen clothes used to be the famous choice previously, but readymade factory clothes are in trend these days.
Men wear thick, long, and wraparound robes called bakhu made up of wool or sheep skin. They also put on a shirt and trousers. Similarly, females wear long inner skirts and similar bakhu with distinctive aprons.
Their clothes are not just for preventing cold and the Himalayan environment, but they also represent typical Sherpa Culture. Their attire and traditional appearance reflect a cheerful vibe at the highest altitude.
Inspiration
Icefall Doctors are heroes in a real sense. Unlike the heroes we enjoy on screen, these Sherpas in Everest and the surrounding regions are brave sons of the Himalayas. They have been surviving every up and down that this region has gone through in hundreds of years. They are still attached to their roots and are preserving their culture.
Dependent on animal husbandry, tourism (guides and porters), and hotels, they live a simple and happy life with their families. They survive extreme cold, snowfall, unpredictable wind, and heavy climatic changes every year. Still, they fight strongly against nature and have led a proud life in the lap of the Himalayas.
Despite life taking risks, they actively participate in rescue activities for the mountain trekkers. They have made the Everest journey much smoother, creating paths at deadly points. So, their efforts are really inspiring. Whenever you meet a Sherpa, remember their contribution to the mountain and pay some respect. They really deserve an act of kindness.
