"We would rather die once than fear death every day"

A senior sherpa, called Mr Sherpa, on top form. From the BBC:

The Mount Everest region's Sherpas have said they are angry at the way studies of glaciers and glacial lakes have been conducted in recent years. They say the studies do not involve them and that results are often spread through alarmist media reports that cause panic among locals in the area.

"Everytime we begin to forget about the threats from glacial lake outburst, then comes news of yet another study through the radio and television, and this has been happening over and over again for more than 15 years now," said Mr Sherpa.

"Instead of having to fear death like that again and again, we would rather die once if the lake really bursts out one day."

Rumours of glacial lake outburst are also said to be causing panic among the locals. Two months ago, following a television report on the risk of a glacial lake outburst in the region, many families in the lower belt of the Everest region fled their homes overnight.

Mr Sherpa said he and other villagers recently received late-night phone calls from people in a village downstream who were inquiring if the Imja glacial lake had burst.

"We were so scared because they were seeking confirmation from us after they heard rumours that sirens had gone off nearby the Imja lake, and we did not even know if the sirens had already been installed."