Mount Everest and its people: Photographers offer prints to raise money for those affected by landslide

The epic beauty of Everest has long enchanted photographers Aaron Huey (watch his TED Talk), James Balog (watch his talk) and Teru Kuwayama (read more about this TED Fellow). The three now turn their lenses on the quiet heroes of the mountain, to raise money for the families and community of the 16 Sherpas killed in a landslide last week.

Huey spent last weekend pulling together the Sherpas Fund, asking Balog, Kuwayama and seven other photographers who’ve worked closely with Sherpas in the past to donate prints of them and of Everest’s breathtaking landscapes. The fund has raised $115,000 for the Sherpa community so far and will continue through Tuesday, April 29.

“I have been at a loss for what to do in these days after the Everest tragedy,” writes Huey, who got help from Outside’s Grayson Schaffer on the project. “As a photographer who has worked with the Sherpa community, I am devastated. Two of the deceased were men I knew. At the end of the day, I decided to give back to the community that gave so much to me.”

Below, two TED Talks that speak to what Sherpas give:

Lewis Pugh: My mind-shifting Everest swim In his talk, Lewis Pugh describes climbing Mt. Everest “right up in the heavens” for a swim underneath the summit. He shares two lessons he learned from the team of Sherpas who helped him get there.

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Ken Kamler: Medical miracle on Everest Ken Kamler told the sad but incredible tale of a medical miracle on Mount Everest at TEDMED. In it, he shares how Sherpas helped his expedition and how their ignored omen led to a tragedy.

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