KATMANDU, Nepal — The government of Nepal said Monday it will consider the demands from the Sherpas who serve as guides for climbers on Mount Everest.
Following an avalanche that killed at least 13 Sherpas last week, members of the ethnic community are calling for a climbing boycott. They are demanding more insurance money, more financial aid for the families of the victims, and regulations that would ensure the rights of climbers.
Deputy Prime Minister Prakash Man Singh said the government has been working to help the Sherpas since the rescue began. ‘‘We will do what we can,’’ he said.
Buddhist monks on Monday cremated the remains of Sherpa guides killed in the avalanche, the deadliest recorded on Mount Everest.
A Sherpa boycott could critically disrupt the Everest climbing season, which is key to the livelihood of thousands of Nepali guides and porters. Everest climbers have long relied on Sherpas for everything from hauling gear to cooking food to high-altitude guiding.
The 13 Sherpas were killed when a block of ice tore loose from the mountain and triggered a cascade that ripped through teams of guides hauling gear. Three Sherpas missing in Friday’s avalanche are presumed dead.
While the work on Everest is dangerous, it has also become the most sought-after job for many Sherpas. A top high-altitude guide can earn $6,000 in a three-month climbing season, nearly 10 times Nepal’s $700 average annual salary.