Porters are everywhere in the Himalayas, there are few roads.

These men and women supply goods to mountain villages, travelling up and along perilous paths. They carry heavy loads, racing ahead of tourist groups who cannot make the pace.

The trails can be slippery and the environment is hostile, too. Snow can come down suddenly as reporter Navin Singh Khadka found out when he was overcome by the cold and altitude sickness.

Sherpas have traditionally dominated at high altitudes, but now porters from the lowlands are encroaching on Sherpa territory. Trekker numbers are dwindling because of Maoist activity and tension between the highland and lowland porters is growing.

It's a precarious existence.

Listen to the programme
	Listen to the programme

First broadcast in June 2006. Produced by Navin Singh Khadka of the BBC's Nepali Service.