Trekking to Everest base camp: readers’ travel writing competition — theguardian.com

It was the 11th day. We sat on large stone slabs, watching as the helicopter pitched away from the Khumbu Icefall and began its approach. Dawa poured tea into paper cups, soon forgotten at our feet. The third Sherpa came into view, twirling slowly beneath the helicopter, affixed by cable. Within minutes he passed overhead, his feet twisted inwards, his ragged frame motionless. Sixteen Sherpas had died in an avalanche, marking this day (18 April 2014) as the deadliest in Everest’s history.

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