Aging Shoulders Carrying the Mountains: A Porter’s Struggle from Solukhumbu

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Aging Shoulders Carrying the Mountains: A Porter’s Struggle from Solukhumbu

Aging Shoulders Carrying the Mountains: A Porter’s Struggle from Solukhumbu

Ecosphere News Service 2026-04-07 17:03:40

Solukhumbu, Nepal - In the high-altitude trails leading to the famed Namche Bazaar, 62-year-old Khadga Bahadur Basnet continues to carry heavy loads along steep and rugged paths, defying both age and adversity. Originally from Sotang, Basnet represents a growing number of elderly laborers whose livelihoods depend on physically demanding work in Nepal’s tourism economy.
For decades, portering has been a backbone of trekking logistics in the Everest region. However, for Basnet, it is not just a profession-it is a necessity. With limited land and economic opportunities back home, he turned to portering as a last resort. “Some people have 5 bighas of land,” he says, reflecting on inequality in rural Nepal, “while others struggle to survive even with a fraction of that.”
His story reveals a deeper reality: aging workers in remote Himalayan communities are increasingly forced into labor-intensive jobs due to poverty, lack of social security, and limited access to alternative livelihoods. Despite the physical toll, Basnet continues to haul essential goods for tourists and local businesses along the mountainous trails.
The environmental context adds another layer of hardship. Climate change has made trekking routes more unpredictable, with landslides, erratic weather, and reduced trail safety further increasing the risks faced by porters. Yet, these frontline workers remain largely invisible in the broader narrative of Nepal’s booming tourism industry.
Experts argue that sustainable tourism must include fair wages, health protection, and social security for porters-especially elderly workers like Basnet. Without structural support, many are left to carry not only heavy loads but also the burden of survival well into old age.
As Nepal continues to promote itself as a global trekking destination, Basnet’s story serves as a reminder that behind every scenic journey lies the silent endurance of workers who make it possible.
Photo Credit: Manoj Basnet
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Published Date 2026-04-07 17:03:40