THAME, SOLU-KHUMBU - SEPTEMBER 23: A communal stream-powered flour mill in Thame village, dry potato is put in the hopper sac and is collected in the pan below, September 23, 2016 in Thame, Nepal. The trails in the Solu-Khumbu region of Nepal are stunning, winding their way through the highest mountain range on Earth all the way to the top of the top, Mt Everest. Trekkers from all over flock to the region every season to get their own view of the 8848m peak, but for locals living in the mountains these trails are a way of life, the veins of productivity between villages. Mountain workers haul everything up the peaks using yaks and their own back; food, supplies for teahouses, gear for trekking and climbing expeditions. It takes around 10 days just to get to Everest base camp, and a healthy tourism sector is vital for the region. On April 25, 2015 that all changed when Nepal was struck by a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake killing almost 9000 people. The damage extended from Kathmandu deep into the Khumbu region where an avalanche from nearby Pumori swept through Everest base camp, killing 22 climbers. Just 17 days later another 7.3 magnitude quake hit the region. It is the worst natural disaster to hit Nepal in over 80 years with an estimated damage bill of $10 billion USD, half of Nepal's GDP. Almost two years since the quake and the trails are still unusually quiet, teahouses have a couple of visitors but just as many staff. Adventure tourism has been battered with climbing and trekking clientele falling by around 50 per cent. With the trekking industry accounting for a $120 million boost to the economy, it is a big hit for one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia. (Photo by Heath Holden/Getty Images)
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Getty Images News Heath Holden