When people think about Everest, they usually think about the summit.

I was more interested in everything that makes the summit possible.

Who carries the equipment?
Who runs the camps?
What does a Sherpa actually carry?
How does the hospitality ecosystem work at 5,000+ metres?
And where does all the waste go?

That curiosity became Inside Everest, a four-part documentary series I produced with Business Insider.

I pitched the Insider team on looking at Everest not just as a mountain, but as an economy, an ecosystem of guides, Sherpas, porters, expedition companies, hotels, supplies, waste management and thousands of livelihoods.

They liked the idea and commissioned it.

Then came the harder part: getting access.

I contacted around 30–40 expedition groups in Nepal. Most declined. Understandably, expedition companies can be cautious about allowing media into their operations because they know the story could potentially expose the less comfortable side of Everest.

Eventually, through friends and connections in Nepal, I found an expedition group willing to take us along.

But access wasn’t enough. I had to build their trust.

I knew this would be a very different kind of shoot.

The expedition would take roughly a month, including the trek to Base Camp, time at altitude and the journey back.

Before leaving, I spent a lot of time trekking around Western Ghats to prepare physically and mentally.

I also kept the camera package deliberately small.

Sony cameras and lenses, GoPros, Insta360 cameras, audio equipment, and a new iPhone that I bought specifically for the assignment.

That iPhone ended up being surprisingly useful.

When you’re exhausted, the weather is deteriorating and every extra gram matters, the best camera is often simply the camera you can actually use.

I operated most of the equipment myself, alongside a second DOP, Pramin Manandhar from Kathmandu who had extensive trekking experience. Sherpas and porters helped us with equipment and essential supplies throughout the journey.

The result was four films:

Why Some Sherpas Say There Won’t Be Any Guides on Everest in 10 Years : https://youtu.be/UfXIDMDmyL8?si=J7DTL1kVUGbQvx2I

Everything a Sherpa Guide Carries to the Summit of Everest : https://youtu.be/o3Cm9oWYxSo?si=zbVA_s2nB1CPmRz5

Inside the Hidden Hotels That Keep Mount Everest Running : https://youtu.be/pwjPHJrfgC4?si=iY9cyOzSQ8YPKI8E

What Happens to Mount Everest’s 110,000+ Pounds of Waste : https://youtu.be/8yo7hskqSg0?si=g7gQnwVzDO8EyQ3d

I didn’t summit Everest. I went as far as Advanced Base Camp, documenting the expedition and the ecosystem around it.

And that was enough to change how I think about documentary filmmaking.

At altitude, there is no room for unnecessary gear, complicated setups or endless second chances.

You prepare as much as you can.

Then you adapt.

The biggest lesson wasn’t about climbing.

It was about trust and access.

The best stories are often behind people who have a reason not to let you in. Your job as a documentary filmmaker is to understand that hesitation, build trust and create enough confidence for people to let you see the world from their side.

And sometimes, the story isn’t where everyone is looking.

Everest isn’t just a mountain.

It’s a workplace.
It’s an industry.
It’s a supply chain.
It’s a livelihood.

And that’s the story we wanted to tell.

I also spend far too much time watching films, reading articles and disappearing down internet rabbit holes.

So every Field Note will end with five things I discovered that week that I think are worth sharing.

No algorithm. No sponsored recommendations. Just five things I genuinely enjoyed and thought you might too.

One small note before I leave: if you didn’t specifically subscribe, you’re probably receiving this because we’ve crossed paths professionally or personally at some point. If Field Notes isn’t for you, there’s an unsubscribe button below and you’re always welcome to use it.

But if you decide to stick around, I’m really happy you’re here.

I have quite a few stories I’ve been meaning to tell.

See you in the field,

Prakhar Deep Jain
Documentary Filmmaker & Founder
Deep Docs · A unit of Deep Ventures