Sherpas should step out of the shadows

Their contribution to mountaineering successes is often overlooked by the global media.

Ever since the first successful winter ascent of Everest in 1980, there have been a slew of climbing expeditions on various high mountains in the winter, including the 1983 Polish reconnaissance expedition to K2. Besides facing insurmountable natural obstacles, the mission had to deal with byzantine logistics, uncooperative government officials and costs that easily outweighed the most generous budgets.