The sweat trickles down his brow as he takes each labored step uphill, a hundred kilos of wood strapped tightly to his back. For 26-year-old Akash Kulung, this is not just a day’s work—it’s his life. Every morning, as the sun rises over the rugged Khumbu hills, Akash begins his five-hour ascent from Surke to Lukla, burdened not only by the heavy load he carries but also by the weight of his family’s survival.
Born in Gudel, Mahakulung Rural Municipality-4, Solukhumbu, Akash grew up knowing struggle. Losing his mother at a young age, he now shoulders the responsibility of caring for his father, wife, and two young sons. His days are spent transporting wood, food, zinc sheets, and other essentials, earning Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000 daily—a sum barely enough to cover his family’s basic needs.
“This is our reality,” Akash says, pausing to wipe his sweat-soaked face. “We cannot survive without this work.”
The journey from Surke to Lukla is infamous for its steep inclines and endless steps, a route that challenges even unburdened travelers. For porters like Akash, it’s a grueling test of endurance. Yet, hundreds of men from remote villages such as Mahakulung and Sotang make this trek daily, driven by the lack of alternative employment opportunities.
“It’s not just the weight of the load that’s heavy,” Akash explains, resting briefly on the trail. “It’s the weight of our responsibilities.”
Despite the Khumbu region’s reputation as a world-famous tourist destination, its porters endure lives of hardship. Roads only reach as far as Surke, leaving the rest of the area dependent on human labor for transporting goods. This demand sustains the local economy but leaves porters with little to show for their efforts.
For many, the harsh reality of life is compounded by high living costs in Khumbu. Fellow porter Nawaraj BK laments, “We carry heavy loads all day, but most of what we earn is spent on food. At the end of the day, it feels like we return home empty-handed.”
The work is not just physically taxing but emotionally draining. Many porters report feeling looked down upon, their efforts dismissed or even ridiculed by some travelers. “It’s disheartening,” says Nawaraj. “We work hard, but we’re treated like we’re invisible.”
The sweat of porters sustains the economy of the Khumbu region. Without their labor, the flow of goods to one of Nepal’s most remote and popular tourist destinations would grind to a halt. Yet, their own lives remain precarious, defined by struggle rather than stability.
The inequality of development in Nepal’s remote regions is starkly evident in the lives of these young men. Improved infrastructure and diversified employment opportunities could ease their burden, offering them a future beyond the heavy loads they carry.
For tourists, the uphill trek is part of the adventure—a story to share over coffee. But for the porters, each step is a testament to resilience, a struggle to keep their families afloat. “I wish there was an easier way,” says Nawaraj, his voice heavy with exhaustion.
The government must recognize the vital role of porters like Akash and Nawaraj in sustaining the Khumbu region. Investment in roads, fair wages, and respectful treatment can transform their lives. Their labor carries not just goods but the heartbeat of an entire region.
For now, Akash and his fellow porters continue their uphill battle, carrying the weight of Khumbu on their backs—step by painful step. -- RSS
