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In Nepal, there are
three broad categories of mountain porters.
First, the 'traditional porter' who works for local people.
The job is not very well paid and the loads are heavier but
it is not so dangerous as it is usually carried out between
villages at a lower altitude (although this has been changing
with more hotels and restaurants being built up at altitude).
The second category
is the 'high altitude porter' (HAP). This is a small group
elite group, often Sherpas, who carry loads above base camp
on expeditions. While their job is very risky they are very
well equipped for it and well paid (often in US$).
The third category is
the 'trekking porter'. There are around 100,000 trekking porters
working in Nepal in a good trekking season. They mostly come
from the lower altitude middle hills and are typically poor
farmers who need the cash. They often carry above the tree
line into snow conditions, at altitudes up to and above the
height of an expedition base camp. As a result they are at
high risk of hypothermia, frostbite and Acute Mountain Sickness.
They earn between 2 and 5 US$ a day. They also have a chance
to learn English, make friends with foreigners and can therefore
improve their conditions (for example, several trekking companies
are owned by ex-porters).
IPPG works on behalf
of the trekking porters.
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