Mt Everest: Karma is going to Everest in 2005

Update

IMMEDIATE OBJECTIVES

    To be the first Bhutanese to reach the summit of Everest.

    To be an example and an inspiration to world youth, particularly Bhutanese young people, of healthy living and healthy attitudes.

    To raise awareness of the mountain environment.

REQUIREMENT TO ACHIEVE IMMEDIATE OBJECTIVES

US $60,000 in sponsorship funds and equipment value so that I can join a Mount Everest expedition.

LONGER TERM OBJECTIVE

    To introduce mountaineering and other adventure sports to Bhutan in such a way that the environment is left unspoilt.

BACKGROUND: When I was nineteen a friend of mine told me of meeting Sir Edmund Hillary and Junko Tabai. (Ms Tabai is the first woman to scale Mount Everest.) His accounts of these meetings ignited my interest in mountaineering and I began to find out all I could about this unknown sport. I wrote to the director of the Chinese Mountaineering Association in Taiwan, Dragon Chang, who wrote back and sent me magazines. Ever since then I have had a burning interest in mountain climbing, as you will see from my achievements in the six years since then.

QUALIFICATIONS

I am a cheerful hardworking person willing and able to >participate in all aspects of mountaineering. I am a good “team person” and have been a good student in all the different specialities that are required to safely and successfully climb the highest peaks. I am young, fit and well trained to take part in an Everest expedition.

ACHIEVEMENTS

In 2000 I sponsored myself and completed the Basic Mountaineering Course and the Adventure Course at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in Darjeeling, with grade ‘A’ where I was “…an above average trainee…” and “…displayed good team spirit and mountain manners…”.

n 2001 I completed the Advanced Mountaineering Course at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute with Grade ‘A’, following which I was “Recommended for Expedition”. Later in 2001, I completed the Method of Instruction Course.

Other achievements in 2001 were: Completed a ten day solo cross country cycling trip in Western Bhutan, reaching the highest point, Chaylayla Pass (13,000 ft above sea level), of the Dantak road system. Climbed Mount BC Roy (18,000 ft) in Sikkim, India. Climbed Mount Frey (19,500 ft) in Sikkim, India.

In August 2002 I was the first Bhutanese ever to join an Indian Mountaineering Foundation sponsored expedition. On this expedition to climb Ramjak Peak (6,318 m, 20,700 ft) in Himal Pradesh, India, I led the climbing party for the final assault and became the first mountaineer ever to reach its summit.

In March 2003, with support from the Royal Government of Bhutan, International Agencies and private sponsors, I was able to join the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute’s Everest Expedition (North Ridge 2003). Two climbers were able to reach the summit before bad weather turned us all back. On this expedition I reached an altitude of 25,000 feet.

EDUCATION

1987 - 1994      Gedu Primary School, Western Bhutan

1995 - 1997      Tashingang Junior High School, Eastern Bhutan

1998 Khaling High School, Eastern Bhutan

1999 – 2000      Royal Technical Institute, Southern Bhutan

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

I have volunteered to speak to and give rescue training to the Police, Road Safety and Transport Authority, health officials and school children in India as well as in Bhutan.

Membership of Clubs and Societies:

1993 – 1994      Member of Primary School Nature Club

1995 Participated in Dring-Lam-Nam-Zha (Discipline

Course), Junior High School

1996 - 1997      Member of Social service in Junior school

1998 Member of Photography club in High school

1998 Received award in Taikondow tournament

1998 Member of Nature club at Royal Technical Institute

2001 Member of Royal Society for the Protection of Nature.

EMPLOYMENT

2001 - 2002      Guest Mountaineering Instructor,

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling, India.

     I taught basic mountaineering which included rock climbing, ice craft and trekking. Trainees were also instructed in basic mountain rescue techniques.

2002 Rescue Team Instructor, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck

National Referral Hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan.

     In October I taught the basic techniques of rescue to the Hospital Rescue Team. This was an unpaid assignment.

2002 Rock Climbing Instructor, Vidya Bharati High

School, Rajestan, Western India.

     In December I was invited to teach basic rock climbing and rescue skills to high school students. I did this for no payment other than a contribution by the school towards my travel expenses.

With regards, Karma Gyeltshen Bhutanese Mountaineer

Bhutan

Millet One Sport Everest Boot for Spring 2009 has made some minor changes by adding more Kevlar. USES Expeditions / High altitude / Mountaineering in extremely cold conditions / Isothermal to -75°F Gore-Tex® Top dry / Evazote Reinforcements with aramid threads. Avg. Weight: 5 lbs 13 oz Sizes: 5 - 14 DESCRIPTION Boot with semi-rigid shell and built-in Gore-Tex® gaiter reinforced by aramid threads, and removable inner slipper Automatic crampon attachment Non-compressive fastening Double zip, so easier to put on Microcellular midsole to increase insulation Removable inner slipper in aluminized alveolate Fiberglass and carbon footbed Cordura + Evazote upper Elasticated collar. Expedition footwear for mountaineering in conditions of extreme cold.  NOTE US SIZES LISTED. See more here.

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