On July 30, an avalanche swept down Pakistan’s Broad Peak, killing 10 climbers trying to ascend the world’s 12th-highest mountain. It’s the deadliest alpine disaster in more than a decade, and several bodies have still not been recovered from the mountain, which remains highly volatile.
Multiple expedition teams were on the mountain at the time of the avalanche, and they included some well-known climbers. Among them was legendary mountaineer and Elite Exped leader Nirmal “Nims” Purja, as well as other climbers like Wang Zhong of China, Mallory Geis of the U.S., and Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy of Oman.
However, the other six fatalities on Broad Peak were mountain workers. Five of them were Sherpas — an ethnic group in Nepal that has defined and supported alpine expeditions for a century. A Pakistani mountain guide also died in the avalanche.
Now, a nonprofit dedicated to Nepali mountain workers has announced a 5-year plan to support the families of these six workers. The Juniper Fund has created an online fundraiser, hoping to give each of the six families $4,000 a year for 5 years. So far, the nonprofit is only halfway to its total goal of $120,000.
“For more than a decade, the Juniper Fund has stood beside Himalayan mountain worker families during their most difficult moments, providing long-term support rather than temporary assistance,” the nonprofit wrote on GoFundMe. “Now, the organization is extending that commitment to the families affected by Broad Peak, helping them rebuild their lives with dignity and stability.”
Mountain Workers: A Dangerous Profession
The Sherpas lost in the Broad Peak avalanche are: Kilu (Kili Pemba) Sherpa, Yukta (Pur Bahadur) Gurung, Nima Sherpa, Gyalu Sherpa, and Nawang Thendu Sherpa. All of them leave behind family members who must now survive without the income from mountain expeditions. It’s a critical part of the Nepalese economy, which has few jobs and sees millions of Nepalis leave the country to find work.
Sohail Sakhi, a Pakistani climber and a trip leader for Epic Expeditions, also died on Broad Peak, leaving behind a mother and brother.
“Their deaths are a direct consequence of the risks these workers take every season — risks The Juniper Fund exists to answer,” the nonprofit said. “We start with a five-year financial commitment, then build the relationships that carry it forward: funding for vocational training, education, and small businesses, plus community initiatives that connect youth, elders, and widows so no family carries this loss alone.”
Mountain workers — and especially Sherpas — have long been relied on by major expeditions to do the most dangerous jobs. For example: Of all 290 fatalities that have occurred on Mount Everest since 1905, one-third of them (94) were Sherpas. The Juniper Fund was founded in 2012 to help the families of Sherpas who die while supporting the mountain expeditions that bring in millions of dollars each year, mostly from foreign clients.
Other Fundraisers
However, The Juniper Fund isn’t the only group raising money for the fallen climbers’ families.
- Yukta Gurung: A celebrated climber in his own right, Gurung summited Everest with famous mountaineers including Jim Morrison and Jimmy Chin. Production company Little Monster Films worked with Gurung during a documentary on Everest, and is now raising money on GoFundMe to support his family. “Yukta was the sole source of support for his loved ones, including his son,” the fundraiser states. “The loss is not only felt by our team, but by his family who now face an uncertain future. Our team and the entire production are doing everything we can to support Yukta’s loved ones in this difficult time.” The campaign has not yet reached its goal of $50,000.
- Sohail Sakhi: Originally from Hunza Valley, Pakistan, Sakhi had spent 5 years working as a trip leader for Epic Expeditions. One of his friends created this GoFundMe to “offer financial support to his family during this period of unimaginable loss.” All of the funds collected will go to Sohail’s immediate family (his mother and brother). The campaign has only raised about $22,000 of its $50,000 goal, including a $5,000 donation from Epic Expeditions.
You can learn more about the life and accomplishments of these climbers in this excellent piece from The Independent. Learn more about The Juniper Fund in this early GearJunkie interview with one of the nonprofit’s founders.
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