After a deadly avalanche on Everest last year, sherpas in Nepal reconsider returning to the mountain

An aerial view of the April avalanche on Mt. Everest. (DigitalGlobe / Getty Images)

Feb. 18, 2015 3 AM PT

The April 2014 avalanche was the deadliest recorded on the world’s highest peak. All 16 victims were sherpas -- the catch-all term for local mountain guides, porters and camp staff.

Two-time Everest summiteer Galden Sherpa, 28, has no plans to return to the mountain after last year’s avalanche. (Rajneesh Bhandari / For The Times)

Menuka Gurung holds a portrait of her husband, Ash Bahadur Gurung, who was working on Mt. Everest on the day of the avalanche last year. His body was never found. (Rajneesh Bhandari / For The Times)

Ang Pashi Sherpa lost her husband in the April avalanche. His body was never found. (Rajneesh Bhandari / For The Times)

The family of Tenzing Chottar Sherpa, who disappeared in the April avalanche and is presumed dead: mother Lhakpa Chhamjee Sherpa, left; wife Ang Pashi Sherpa; son Tshering Sherpa; and brother Phurba Sherpa. (Rajneesh Bhandari / For The Times)