Have we arrived at overpaying our sirdars? Mine said he only needed to work 6 months a year to have an affluent lifestyle, building himself a house and being something of a local celebrity-affluent businessman. He had few skills - not-quite-adequate English, poor management skills, no care whether clients were well or ill. He had comfy warm accommodation throughout and better food than the clients. His assistant of course had to find independent accommodation and had food only at lunchtime. And nothing to carry except a tiny rucksac. What if there had been an accident or illness? Well, he actually caused a serious accident to myself. He grabbed me and swung me behind him for absolutely no reason except some kind of joke, but it tore my knee meniscus and I am now immobile and have spent a lot of money and suffered two very uncomfortable road journeys to hospitals in Nepal.
In the old days (1978 was my first of many treks) the sirdar was a seriously competent Sherpa and there was often an English leader as well giving first rate care and experience. I shall never again go with a 'local leader' - he is just someone who knows the route and list of lodges and gets hugely overpaid. After my accident the guide never even came to my hotel room (where I was stuck) to see if I had food and drink and whatever else. You have been warned!
