In honour of the  guides who  tirelessly carry supplies up Kathmandu, we nicknamed our freight lift the "Sherpa".

It can carry 400 pounds (or more) and takes one minute 15 seconds to climb the 112 feet of rail.

The rail, as it climbs the cliff, varies in angle from 56 degrees at the bottom to 22 degrees at the top -- a difference of 24 degrees and so the cart is tipped forward 12 degrees at the top and back 12 degrees at the bottom. 

Building the Sherpa

The Sherpa in Action

The Sherpa in Action (movies)

Loading at the bottom and climbing the 54 degree incline

Coming down over steep part

Up the long stretch to the top

Loading and securing a very heavy 6x6 lumber

Delivering the 6x6 over the steep part and to the bottom

Winch, going down

Winch, going up

Disc brake on winch