News from Russian Adventure Team Everest expedition from Moscow under the leadership of Alexander Abramov.

Alexander Abramov reports: "30,April. I like Sherpas and Nepal very much. But very likely I will become racist soon. We were planning the third ascent to the North Col. I gave Sherpas oxygen cylinders, 18kg (five oxygen cylinders) per man. It was an agreement that they should carry the load of 20kg to the North Col but suddenly Sherpas began to shake their heads. They did not want to carry 18kg per man only 11kg(three oxygen cylinders). It exasperated not only me but also another members of our expeditions. It was the matter of principle either the Sherpas would work or go back to Katmandu. Probably I indulged them paying bonuses every week. Usually bonuses are paid at the end of the expedition.

I would like to report the names of "bad" Sherpas: Dzankby, Torgeeken and Tshuldim. If you do not want to have problems during your expedition never take these Sherpas. During the whole month Sherpas worked only five days at 7000m and asserted that the given work was beyond their strength. As a result they left the expedition and went back to Katmandu. We connected with the firm Asian Trekking and they promised to provide us with following information next day: either to return money at about 3000$ per Sherpas or send another. As to the defaulters the firm promised to leave them without salary.

And now without Sherpas we decided to install the camp 7900m by own strength. Bye."