Sherpa is the name of an ethnic group who live up in the Himalayas close to the Tibetan border, the most mountainous region of Nepal.
![Sindhupalchok Sindhupalchok](https://i0.wp.com/felicitymacintosh.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Sindhupalchok-3.jpg?resize=1000%2C666)
Sherpas are regarded as experts in mountaineering and play a big part on any major trek. These days the term Sherpa is given to any guide or porter.
Local families hanging out
Sherpas use a traditional neck strap to carry items using their heads. You’ll see plenty of people carrying goods this way in Nepal. Young, old, barefoot, the Nepalese make it look so easy.
![Sherpa Nepal Sherpa Nepal](https://i0.wp.com/felicitymacintosh.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Sherpa_Nepal.jpg?resize=1000%2C666)
I thought I’d give it a go when transporting bags of cement from the truck to different work sites in the area.
![Sindhupalchok Sindhupalchok](https://i0.wp.com/felicitymacintosh.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Sindhupalchok-5.jpg?resize=1000%2C666)
Each bag of cement weighed 50kg, nearly as heavy as me. I never once in a million years thought I would have the strength to lift this. Certainly not after lifting shifting 70 breeze-blocks and moving a pile of gravel earlier that day.
![Sindhupalchok Sindhupalchok](https://i0.wp.com/felicitymacintosh.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Sindhupalchok-4.jpg?resize=1000%2C666)
I made it. I reached the top of the hill with my bag, a steep climb and a fair way too. I was in agony.
![Sindhupalchok Sindhupalchok](https://i0.wp.com/felicitymacintosh.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Sindhupalchok-6.jpg?resize=1000%2C666)
My friend Elinah once told me I could lift anything if I put my mind to it and she was right. However, I’m not sure the achievement was worth the back pain that followed. I don’t think my neck is made for carrying that sort of weight, if anything at all.
![Sherpa Nepal](https://i0.wp.com/felicitymacintosh.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Sherpa_Nepal-1.jpg?resize=1000%2C666)
I enjoyed the challenge and went back for more “sherpering” another few days in a row. It wasn’t all carrying bags of cement, I also shifted sand, gravel plus hundreds of breeze blocks. The more I do it the easier it becomes and the pain lessens. Sherpa’s rock!