This is going to be controversial, but I think it needs to be said. IMHO, this scenario is an example of "top of first world problem" meets "bottom of third world problem" and the outcome is not pretty. You have a number of folks with tons of resources, hiding behind for-profit companies that aggregate demand, and hire the cheapest form of back-breaking help they can get. This help does not have any other options, and because the agreement is with the companies, they have very little connection with the buyer.

This happens with:

- Car washers (sorry, but can you please redo my car because you left a streak here and I paid $8).

- Nannies (sorry, have to cancel today. Sorry you cant reschedule other people but my fiance rescheduled our dining / wining outing)

- Home cleaning services (sorry, but I have a headache and can't have noise at the house. Sorry you can't reschedule and will have to miss my money to make rent)

- Drivers (sorry, i just wanted to go one block but did not want to scratch my brand new $400 shoes)

- Immigrant laborers picking your fruit (send them back!)

- Sherpas (read the article)

This is why if I have to use an Uber ride for < $5, I add a $10 on top directly to the driver.

I think the Everest situation is actually a little sillier, in that you have a bunch of people coming home saying "I climbed Everest!" and everybody forgets the little detail that they had personal staff prepping their every way.

I have a lot of appreciation for others though who do this challenge overcoming real obstacles such as blindness, missing a body part, or some other personal tragedy which must be conquered through conquering the big mountain, so I am not referring to these situations in my comments.

Downvotes expected.