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| The three climbers involved in the fight |
(Scroll down for video) The only difficulty climbers expect at Mount Everest is the mountain itself, but that was not the case this time, according to a statement by Nepal Police.
Three climbers were involved in a fight at high altitude on Mount Everest after fending off a group of angry Sherpa guides. Sherpas are local inhabitants of the area.
Ueli Steck from Switzerland, Simone Moro of Italy and Britain's Jonathan Griffith met with authorities and Nepalese Sherpas to clear things up today, according to an update on the facebook page of Moro.
"The meeting with everyone at base camp ended with a statement that emphasized the appreciation we have for the Sherpas and Nepal, but we also said that this violence killed our dream of climbing," one of the climbers said.
The drama unfolded on Saturday at 24,500 feet, according to a statement posted by Moro, after a Sherpa accused the three of hitting a fellow guide, and then struck them.
“The lead Sherpa began screaming and banging the ice with his ax erratically," Moro said.
The three and the Sherpas, who are known for providing support to foreign hikers and climbers, descended to Camp 2, at which Moro said they were outnumbered by 100 Sherpas who punched and kicked them and threw stones.
"They were throwing stones," Steck said. "They tried to use a knife to stab Simone Moro. Luckily, it only hit his backpack strap," Steck added.
The situation calmed down after 50 minutes, at which Moro said they were told to leave within the hour or everyone would be killed.
The three retreated to the base of the mountain, Moro said. "We felt that given the current situation it was the safest place to be," Moro said.
“I never knew that the locals were the ones who guide the climbers. I always thought it was professional climbers from all around the world. I guess that climbers should learn their lesson and be respectful to the locals, as in any other tourist location,” Cynthia Waite, 55, of Fort Wayne, Indiana told YourJewishNews.com after learning about the fight.
Moro suggested that the lead Sherpa was angry after three climbers passed him, prompting him to start the fight.
"Whatever the reason, there is no reason to try to kill three climbers who visit the area," he said.Mobile video not loading? Click here to view