>> He said the mounters wouldn't buy them for him, so he didn't have any.

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.