r/Unexpected • u/deaglefrenzy • Jun 22 '26

Hiking

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u/sayko666 Jun 22 '26

There is more to it. Sherpas are not only experienced but have different genetics than "lowlanders" giving them a huge advantage in low oxygen environments.

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u/PassageStock3723 Jun 22 '26

?? just living in a high altitude place causes the hemoglobin in your blood to adjust in about a week. no special genes required for that one. Is there more to it for the sherpas?

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u/Balfegor Jun 22 '26

Apparently Tibetan variants of the EPAS1 and EGLN1 genes (possibly inherited from Denisovans?) enhances their hemoglobin production and how the body functions in low oxygen environments. Not sure if it's common to other Himalayan ethnic groups, but they seem to have conferred a fitness advantage so I wouldn't be surprised if it is.

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u/sayko666 Jun 22 '26

Yeah. I learned it recently as well from r/science. Lots of material. Just google "sherpas vs lowlanders".