Somewhat tangent, but don't they get paid?
Not sure how common that is, or all of the circumstances, but it did not sound like the mountaineers regarded him as more than a donkey in human form.
Looks like helping climbers and carrying stuff is their job.
However, this sherpa thing seems like cheating, you have others carry stuff for you, lay ropes and what not. Maybe since everyone uses them, all climbers are in the same position but still.
The Sherpa are an ethnic group known for being skilled mountaineers, and it is also a way some of them make a living. It's not like they're a climber helping cast.
So why do they carry bags and act as "helping cast" for what you say are low wages? Is someone forcing them?