Who are they, and what role do they really play in climbers’ successes?
Andrzej Bargiel has achieved a historic feat – skiing down Mount Everest without the use of supplemental oxygen. It is an achievement that commands admiration and inspires others. But it’s worth asking: who makes such undertakings possible? In this post, we discuss the role of Sherpas, Nepalese people and support agencies, and why success in the mountains is always the result of teamwork. We’ll also introduce ourselves – Meroway Adventure – and our mission in the Himalayas.
Andrzej Bargiel and the descent from Everest – a moment that will go down in history
On 22–23 September 2025, Andrzej Bargiel skied down the world’s highest mountain without the use of supplementary oxygen. This was not only a demonstration of outstanding skill and courage, but also the result of meticulous planning and collaboration between many people.
We at Meroway Adventure would like to offer our heartfelt congratulations to Andrzej on this achievement. We have been following his career for years and hold his professionalism, passion and ethical approach to climbing in high regard.
Sam Bargiel has repeatedly emphasised that the success is down to the team – people who aren’t always in the spotlight, but who play a crucial role. It is them we want to tell you about today.
Sherpas – not just „helpers”, but passionate professionals
In common parlance, a „Sherpa” is someone who supports climbers in the Himalayas. In fact, it is the name of an ethnic group that has inhabited the high-altitude regions of Nepal for centuries, mainly in the eastern part of the country – including the regions of Solukhumbu, Rolwaling, Helambu, Langtang and the area around the border with Tibet.
Sherpas have been connected to the mountains for generations – both culturally and professionally. Today, many of them are highly qualified guides (often holding international certifications such as IFMGA), mountain rescuers, expedition leaders and climbers with impressive achievements. At Meroway, as many as four of our guides hold international qualifications!
Their role in high-altitude expeditions includes, amongst other things:
- installing handrails,
- preparing approach routes,
- transport of equipment and oxygen,
- leading groups and ensuring safety,
- rescue operations – often at the risk of their own lives.
Many of them have climbed Mount Everest numerous times – as many as 10, 20 or more times – which is a testament to their extraordinary skills, resilience and experience. Their work often goes unrecognised, even though it forms the foundation of the success of many expeditions.
Nepalese agencies – the unseen force behind success
Behind many of the records and expeditions in the Himalayas lie local Nepalese agencies and their leaders – people who combine mountaineering experience with excellent organisational skills and a deep understanding of the realities of the mountains and of Nepal itself. To organise a legal and professional expedition in Nepal, there is a legal obligation to use the services of such an agency; therefore, any company from outside Nepal must hire a Nepalese agency to carry out its high-altitude plans. At Meroway, things are different, as we also have our own Nepalese agency, so we organise our expeditions directly.
Getting back to the Sherpas. One such leader is Chhang Dawa Sherpa, who played a key role in Andrzej Bargiel’s success – accompanied him on the expedition and to the summit of Everest, and that’s him you see in the film that went viral. Dawa supported the project not only logistically, but also physically, as a member of the team working at the highest altitudes.
Dawa Sherpa is not only an experienced climber, but also an expedition manager who was responsible, amongst other things, for:
- project „14 Peaks” Nirmala Purji (Nimsdai),
- the first winter ascent of K2 in 2021,
- express project Kristin Harila (14 eight-thousanders in 92 days),
- numerous commercial and sporting expeditions to the world’s highest peaks.
His role – like that of many other Sherpas – often goes unnoticed, even though it is they who set up the ropes, transport the equipment, monitor weather conditions, make operational decisions and support the climbers at every stage of the ascent.
It is thanks to the work of these people and the support of Nepalese mountaineering agencies that records making the front pages of newspapers are possible – but without their involvement, many of these projects could not go ahead. The knowledge, experience, and physical and mental resilience of these experienced high-altitude guides and the ability to operate in extreme conditions are invaluable.
High-altitude mountaineering is not just an individual endeavour – it is a complex system of cooperation, where every element counts. The agency’s leaders, the Sherpa teams, the logistics staff, the cooks, the porters – they all form a structure that makes it possible to realise dreams of climbing the world’s highest mountains.
Is Everest „easy”? Statistics versus perceptions
Just a point of interest – we’d like to set the record straight. Contrary to popular belief, Mount Everest is not one of the world’s deadliest mountains – In percentage terms, there are fewer accidents there than, for example, on Mont Blanc or the Matterhorn. It sounds more sensational in the media, though – ‘I’ve climbed Mont Blanc; more people die there than on Everest…’
Why doesn’t Everest claim such a high death toll?
Because Everest has something that other mountains often lack: a well-organised, experienced local support network created primarily by Nepalese people and Sherpas!
Climbers can look forward to:
- secured routes,
- accurate forecasts (the technology itself, of course, also plays a part here),
- scheduled weather windows,
- rapid emergency response teams (including helicopters),
- and the actual presence of guides and Sherpas at every stage of the journey, which is crucial in many situations.
This makes even such extreme undertakings as skiing down from the roof of the world feasible at all.
The solo style – a choice for the select few
However, we must not forget that There are also climbers who deliberately choose not to rely on external support.
One such example is Piotr Krzyżowski, which operates in an almost entirely autonomous manner – without oxygen, without the help of guides – he climbs mountains without oxygen and without the personal support of Sherpas.
It is a style that demands a great deal of knowledge, skill and self-discipline – chosen by few, but one that commands enormous respect within the profession.
What is important, however, is that Most climbers – including some of the most accomplished – rely on the assistance of local teams, not as a „shortcut”, but as a wise and responsible choice. Many, however, still fail to mention who makes these expeditions possible, presenting their success as their own achievement alone.
Meroway Adventure – local support, global quality
At this point, we’d also like to mention ourselves – Meroway Adventure.
We operate both as Polish tour operator, as well as a licensed tour operator in Nepal, registered with the local authorities, with a full team of guides, logistics staff and coordinators in Kathmandu and in the mountain regions.
We have experience in organising both traditional treks and technical support for expeditions to eight-thousanders.
We have often found ourselves helping teams or individuals in difficult situations – when things didn’t go to plan, when others let them down, or simply when it turned out that the reality of the Himalayas was far more demanding than they had expected.
We always act responsibly and professionally, because safety and trust are paramount in the mountains. If you’re planning a trek or an ambitious expedition – please get in touch. We operate where it all begins.
Behind every success there is a team
Success stories are important – they inspire, motivate and show that boundaries can be pushed. But Behind the vast majority of these achievements lie many unsung heroes, without whom this success would not have been possible.
That is why – let’s show our appreciation for those who stand on the sidelines, hold the rope, carry the equipment, set up the ropes, make logistical decisions and… often quite simply save lives. We’re writing about this because, whilst the most prominent figures will receive their accolades – and rightly so – we also want to talk about those who are a little further in the background, yet just as committed and hard-working, putting their heart and soul and a huge amount of effort into these expeditions.
In the Himalayas, no one really acts alone. Even if they reach the summit on their own.
Meroway Adventure
Driven by a passion for the mountains, with experience in Nepal, and with safety and quality in mind.
If you’re thinking about the mountains – think about those who really know them.
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