Search for Chhewang Nima Sherpa 19 time Everest summiter called off

Dear EverestNews.com,  

As many of you have already heard about the shocking news of Nepali Sherpa, Chhewang Nima Sherpa, the last few days have been a shock to Nepal and the mountaineering community. At 4:30 pm on 23rd October, Chhewang Nima Sherpa- 19 times Everest Summitteer- was caught in an avalanche at 7045m on Mt. Baruntse (7129m) while fixing rope to the summit. His body has not been recovered and the search has now been called off. Chhewang Nima was a highly talented and dynamic mountaineer, greatly respected for his leadership skills. After Apa Sherpa he was the second, who has highest summit record of Mt. Everest. Nepal has lost a great hero and we pray for his soul's eternal rest. We express our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and pray for their strength and recovery from such a tragedy.

Autumn Expedition - Nepal and Tibet brief summit report:

It is almost the end of Autumn Climbing Season here in the Himalayas and I have prepared another update to keep you informed. 

This season was not that easy and approving for many climbing expeditions because of the unfavorable weather conditions. Though I wish everyone could summit the mountains they climbed, only some of them could make it to the top. Among the different expeditions, 6 members of Asian Trekking's International Manaslu Expedition summited Mt. Manaslu (8163M) on 1st October 2010. A total 31 climbers summited Mt. Manaslu this fall season.   

Similarly 3 members of Asian Trekking's International Cho-Oyu Expedition team summited Mt. Cho-oyu (8201m) this Autumn. Two members summited on 2nd October and one more member summited on 6th October. They are the only Cho-Oyu summiteers this fall season (There are two more Cho-Oyu summit claims which has to verify with summit picture and other evidence).

Eight members of Asian Trekking's International Korean Himlung Himal Expedition Team summited Mt. Himlung Himal (7123m) on 19 October. Asian Trekking family congratulates all the summiteers for their success. This season only 2 members of the South Korean Shishapangma Expedition Team summited Mt. Shishapangma (8013m) via the British Route on 14 October. Asian Trekking's Ama Dablam (6812m) Expedition Team is in progress and we are hoping for their news of success soon. 

Six members from Save the Pole Everest Expedition Autumn 2010 reached the Summit of Mt. Everest on 15th October. This is the first successful expedition in Autumn after many years. 

Nepal Expeditions - Autumn 2010 (Government Peaks):

The following is the detail of the permits issued to expedition teams for 8000m Peaks by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation in this Autumn Season (2010:  

2 Teams of 1 member each on Mt. Everest (Nepal Side)

2 Teams with a total 6 members on Mt. Lhotse

8 Teams with a total of 86 members on Mt. Manaslu 

2 teams with total of 9 members Mt. Dhaulagiri from Nepal Himalayas 

The above figures do not include the number of high altitude Sherpa (HAS) climbers. 

Tibet Expeditions - Autumn 2010:

The following are the teams permitted on 8000m Peaks in Tibet: 

2 Teams with a total of 12 climbers on Mt. Everest (including HAS)

25 Teams with a total of 340 climbers on Mt. Cho-oyu (including HAS)

3 Teams with a total of 45 climbers on Mt. Shishapangma(including HAS) 

Death and Casualties:

Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m):

An avalanche on Mt. Dhaulagiri killed three Japanese climbers, Osumu Tanabe(49),Toshio Yamamoto(36) and Daisuke Honda(32) and a Nepalese Guide Pasang Geylu Sherpa on 28th September.

Mt. Cho-Oyu (8201m):

The leader of the Cho-Oyu South West Face Expedition 2010, Walter Nones of Italy had a fatal fall on 3rd October and died while climbing Mt. Cho-Oyu from South West Face New Route.

Mt. Manaslu (8163m) Base Camp:

Mr. Nobuaki Kuwabara(61 yrs) of Japan diet at the Base Camp of Manaslu on 24 September 2010. He was member of "Adventure Guides Mt. Manaslu Exp.2010" under the Leadership of Mr. Kenji Kondo of Japan. 

We pray that may all the departed souls rest in peace and express our condolence to their family members and friends.  

UIAA General Assembly Highlight:

The UIAA General Assembly which was held from 6th-9th October in Bormio was very fruitful. The outcome of the assembly is beneficial to all the members of UIAA. It focused on the necessity of the Expedition Commission to be re-activated. On the sidelines of the 2010 UIAA General Assembly, leading members of the global climbing community discussed the concerns of climbers and challenges of undertaking expeditions to high and remote mountain ranges.

The next general assembly of UIAA will be held on 5th to 8th October 2011 and the general assembly of UAAA will be held on 9th October 2011. Both the events will be hosted by Nepal in Kathmandu. Since the same year Nepal is celebrating Nepal Tourism Year 2011, I hope that both the events will be instrumental in promoting Nepal Tourism Year 2011 to make it a great success, as well as bringing many benefits to the mountaineering community. 

Protection of Mountain Environment:

This year Mountain Protection and Environmental issues were extremely highlighted. Different programs and campaigns were held in different parts of the world to raise awareness of global warming & climate change and their consequences. The most affect of Global warming and climate change is in Himalayan Countries so Nepal also actively participated in most of such programs. The government of Nepal held another "Summitteers Summit to Save the Himalaya" rally outside the UN Headquarter in New York, during the UN General Assembly on the 21st of September. Many Mt. Everest summiteers participated in the rally.

Nepal-Tibet (China) Joint Coordination Committee on Tourism Meeting:

The 4th annual meeting of Nepal-Tibet Joint Coordination Delegation on Tourism was held on September 14, 2010 in Lhasa, Tibet. The Nepali team was led by Mr. Laxman Bhattarai; Joint Secretary of Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation whereas China's Tibet team was lead by Mr. Bha Dro; Director General of Tibet Tourism Bureau. I was also fortunate to be a member of the Nepali delegation.

Amongst the various issues raised by the Nepalese delegation, the Tibetan team agreed on the operation of Kathmandu-Lhasa bus service as soon as possible. The Tibetan delegation also committed to promote Nepal Tourism Year in Tibet through media and billboards at major crossroads. The Nepali delegation also put forward the proposal to allow Nepali helicopters regular access to the Mansarovar and Kailash area for rescue and charter services. Also discussed in the meeting was the mutual feeling that there needs to be more airlines operating between the Lhasa-Kathmandu sector. These are some of the areas where both governments are now working closely through respective diplomatic channels to implement expediently. 

On September 14, amidst a program Mr. Laxman Bhattarai; Under Secretary of Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation and Mr. Bha Dro; Director General of Tourism Bureau signed and exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding in the presence of Mr. Wu Ying Jie; Standing Vice Chairman of Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Celebration of 50th Anniversary of First Ascent of Mt. Everest from North Side:

China Tibet Mountaineering Association organized a program to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the First Ascent of Mt. Everest from the North Side by the China Tibet Mountaineering Team in 1960. All the mountaineers from Tibet and Mt. Everest Summiteers from mainland China attended the function. Gombu Lha- the first Tibetan Mt. Everest Summiteer- together with many of the members of the 1960 Expedition attended the celebration in Lhasa on 28th September. The next day a big conference was held in which many of the international and Chinese experts shared their experiences which on focused on three topics:

1. Mountaineering Concept

2. Protection of Mountain Environment

3. High Himalayan Rescue  

National Tourism Council Meeting:

On 25th October, a National Tourism Council meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Right Honorable Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. Madav Kumar Nepal. Different tourism related policies and issues were passed in the meeting, specially focused on mountain tourism and environmental protection.  

Thank you for your support

It is again my pleasure to keep you all up to date as to our activities here in the Himalaya. If you have any questions please do let me know. I thank you for your support in the past and look forward to our cooperation in the future.  

Best Wishes,

Ang Tshering Sherpa

Chairman

Asian Trekking

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