{"id":9836528,"date":"2024-04-17T21:46:51","date_gmt":"2024-04-17T19:46:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/regiontatry.sk\/tatranski-nosici-svetovy-unikat-vysokych-tatier\/"},"modified":"2025-06-09T22:08:21","modified_gmt":"2025-06-09T20:08:21","slug":"mountain-load-bearers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/regiontatry.sk\/en\/mountain-load-bearers\/","title":{"rendered":"Mountain sherpas \u2013 a\u00a0unique world phenomenon in the High Tatras"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The last sherpas of their kind in the world. These are our Slovak mountain sherpas who regularly supply mountain chalets. They carry tens of kilogrammes of cargo on their backs several times a week. Mountain portering is so unique that it has been put on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Slovakia in 2018.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tatra sherpas \u2013 indispensable porters in the Tatras<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mountain sherpa is a rarity worldwide. Although sherpas have been gradually replaced by various means of transport globally and most chalets abroad are supplied by cable cars, helicopters or cars, this unusual profession has been preserved in the High Tatras to this day. It requires physically and mentally strong individuals as they are usually accompanied by heavy loads and adverse weather conditions on their journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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They can be met on the way to 6 Tatra chalets they supply in any weather, in every season. Bowing humbly under tens of kilos of load, they ensure that nothing is missing in the mountains and represent Slovakia’s traditional cultural heritage.
All material for mountain chalets are carried by sherpas on specially adapted back frames.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They carry food and daily necessities, heating fuel, building materials, gas cylinders, barrels of beer and Kofola drinks, and accommodation items or souvenirs<\/strong> to ensure the operation of mountain chalets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Loads weighing 60 kilogrammes or more <\/strong>are attached to special frames of various shapes and materials. Wooden frames<\/strong> equipped with straps are the most commonly used ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mountain sherpas supply six chalets in the High Tatras: Chalet below Mt Rysy, Zbojn\u00edcka chalet, Rainer\u2019s chalet, Zamkovsk\u00fd\u2019s chalet, T\u00e9ry\u2019s chalet<\/strong>, and they carry materials from the cable car station at Skalnat\u00e9 pleso to Skalnat\u00e1 chalet<\/strong>. Other chalets are accessible by cable cars or motor vehicles. On the way to the chalets, mountain sherpas often surpass themselves and break old records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cSHERPA\u201d RACES<\/strong><\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Mountain sherpas have always had a competitive spirit. Few of them openly admit it, but each harbours a desire to be just a little better than their friends or colleagues. To be faster with a load than last year. This idea laid the foundation for various Sherpa races. All Tatra sherpas annually test their strength and skills in their competitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Sherpa Rallye<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Since 1985, brave sherpas have gathered annually to test their strength and skills in a unique race \u2013 the Sherpa Rallye<\/strong>. They put 60 kilogrammes onto their backs and set off on the course to surpass themselves and achieve their personal best. For women who are not afraid of challenges, there is the Lady Rallye<\/strong>, where they can demonstrate their strength and endurance by carrying 20 kilogrammes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sherpas Hundred \u2013 Juraj Petransk\u00fd Memorial<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The so-called Sherpas Hundred, known as Juraj Petransk\u00fd Memorial<\/strong>, represents an even more demanding race version. The name indicates that men carry 100 kilogrammes<\/strong> and women have 30 kilogrammes<\/strong> on their backs. They cover a 2.7-kilometre<\/strong> route from Hrebienok to Zamkovsk\u00fd\u2019s chalet<\/strong>, with an altitude difference of 190 metres<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Sherpas Hundred<\/strong> is a tribute to Juraj Petransk\u00fd<\/strong>, who, like many other young men from all over Slovakia and the Czech Republic, succumbed to the charm of the High Tatras and made a living by supplying local chalets. He was just under 27 years old when he was killed by an avalanche while carrying supplies to T\u00e9ry\u2019s chalet in Mal\u00e1 Studen\u00e1 dolina (valley) in March 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Experience a true challenge \u2013 Try mountain portering!<\/strong><\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Do you want to experience an adrenaline rush and hike with a load on your back? If so, we have a great idea for you! How about trying portering frames with loads on the route from Popradsk\u00e9 pleso to the Chalet below Mt Rysy during the summer<\/strong>? At the beginning of the route, there are \u201csmall\u201d loads such as coal and daily necessities, which you can carry on your back and deliver to the chalet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your courage and endurance will be rewarded not only by a great sense of accomplishment <\/strong>but also by a mug of warm tea <\/strong>at the end of your effort in the chalet. So, if you feel ready for this challenge, don’t hesitate to try load bearing \u2013 a unique experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Would you like to know more about the unique \u201csherpas\u201d?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

If you’re interested in the history of mountain sherpas in the Tatras, visit Rainer\u2019s hut<\/strong>.<\/a>\u00a0It is just a 30-minute walk from the upper funicular station at Hrebienok. There you will meet one of the living sherpa legends, Peter Petras<\/strong>, and you can also see his small museum of mountain load bearers<\/strong>. Along with experiences and stories about mountain sherpas, you can enjoy excellent tea made from local herbs. Let yourself be enchanted by the atmosphere of this place full of history and natural charm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Sherpa museum \u2013 a mini museum of Tatra load bearers<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In Star\u00fd Smokovec, there is a unique and one-of-a-kind Tatra mini Sherpa museum<\/strong> dedicated to the unusual profession of Tatra load bearers.
\u0160tefan Ba\u010dkor, who passionately and devotedly created this project, has made a space full of fascinating artefacts and stories that reveal the importance of mountain sherpas in the Tatras. This gem that offers a new perspective on the culture and heritage of the Tatras is located in the so-called Swiss House in Star\u00fd Smokovec. Meet the mountain sherpas who have been part of the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Slovakia<\/strong> since 2018 and are vying for UNESCO listing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, the Sherpa caf\u00e9 there serves delicious coffee and you can also spend a night in this oldest building in Star\u00fd Smokovec.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u0160tefan Ba\u010dkor, a long-time mountain load bearer and founder of the Sherpa museum in Star\u00fd Smokovec, told us about legends<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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