Who are the Everest sherpas and what do they do? We look at the often unsung heroes behind some of the world's most famous mountaineers

Sherpa in the Himalayas.

Every year, hundreds of climbers attempt to summit Mount Everest. It's a feat seen by many as the ultimate mountaineering challenge but it's high-risk and difficult to complete alone.

While some experienced climbers go solo, the majority use mountain guides called sherpas. These tough local climbers will scout and prepare routes, fix ropes ahead of climbers and carry essential kit, making the ascent as safe and as straightforward as possible.