Ang Tshering writes from Nepal - January 2011

Launching of Nepal Tourism Year 2011:

In Nepal, we are now celebrating the Tourism Year 2011. The official launch was held on the 14th of January at the National stadium in Kathmandu. The stadium, which can seat 35,000 people, stadiums was filled to capacity by wellwishers who wanted to show their support for the Tourism Year. Leaders of all major political parties also attended the even. Special mention must also go to the Tourism Ministers from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan along with Tourism Secretary from India and representatives from other member states who attended the function. I believe that the Nepal Tourism Year 2011 will be a very important force in helping Nepal develop its infrastructure and policies so that visitors from around the world may have a more fulfilling and memorable experience in Nepal, not only in 2011 but into the future. 

Winter Kyajo-Ri Climb 2010:

In December, Dawa Steven and 2 of our top Sherpas went on a short climbing expedition to Mt Kyajo ri (6186 m). They were exploring a new approach to the peak, directly from Khumjung and through the two hidden valleys. This route has cut out an entire day of walking from the normal approach route, which would take 5 days from Khumjung. They enjoyed sunny days, free of wind and the slopes were hard blue ice and solid granite rock. Winter climbing is a very viable activity in Nepal on the 6000m peaks as chances of snow and rain are extremely low due to the dry season, the winds are calm and the days enjoy undisturbed sunshine. 

Eco Everest Expedition 2011:

Again my Son, Dawa Steven Sherpa and Apa will be leading Eco Everest Expedition 2011 to Mt. Everest. A new addition to the team, Mr Lee Bennett (UK), will be our base camp manager. Lee is a retired officer of the Royal Navy and a qualified mountain leader. There are still places open for those who would like to join the expedition.

As every year, we will be running out cleaning campaign and continue to bring down garbage from the slopes of mt Everest. Since 2008, the Eco Everest Expedition has collected 12,000kg of Garbage and taken off all human waste produced on the expedition. The Expedition has helped to recover and provide dignified burials of 4 dead bodies. This year, we have the honour of having Ken Noguchi (Japan) on board to help with our cleaning efforts. Since 2000, Ken has run cleaning expeditions on Everest (4 times), Manaslu and annually on Mt. Fuji. Ken and 6 Sherpas will work on bringing garbage from the higher sections of Mt. Everest. 

Announcement of Asian Trekking Spring 2011 Expedition Teams: 

1.  Eco Everest Expedition 2011 from South Side

2.  International Everest Expedition 2011from North Side I

3.  International Everest Expedition 2011from North Side II

4.  International Joining Mt. Manaslu Expedition 2011

5.  International Joining Mt. Lhotse Expedition 2011 

6.  International Mt. Cho-Oyu Expedition 2011

7.  International Mt. Shishapangma Expedition 2011 I

8.  International Mt. Shishapangma Expedition 2011 II (South Face)

9.  International Joining Mt. Dhaulagiri Expedition 2011

10. International Joining Mt. Kanchanjunga Expedition 2011

11. International Joining Mt. Amadablam Expedition 2011 

Expeditions to Mt.Makalu, Mt.Himlung, Mt.Pumori and Mt.Baruntse are in the pipeline but are yet to be confirmed. Please contact us if you would like to join our groups or share our permits. 

Currently we also have several Climbing teams going to 6000m Peaks such as Island Peak, Lobuche East, Abi Peak, Kyajo Ri, Mera Peak, Pisang Peak, Chulu Peak, Larke Peak etc

Manaslu Festival:

Manaslu is the eighth highest mountain in the world and a spectacular snow peak in the Himalayas of Nepal. Supported by the Nepal Tourism Board and various national organizations, the local people of Manaslu Region are organizing Manaslu Festival from 9th May to 11th May 2011 at the Base Camp (4500m) of Mt. Manaslu. The main attractions of the festival are Religious Ceremonies, Special blessing from Rinpochhe, Archery Competition(Dha), Horse Race Competition (Toshi-Gyaltshan), Ethnic and Religious Cultural Shows, Food Festival, Traditional Tug of War Competition, Sanitation and Environmental awareness Campaign. 

50th Anniversary of Khumjung School Celebration:

Khumjung School, the first school built by Sir Edmund Hillary in Solukhumbu will celebrate its 50th Anniversary from the 26th to 29th May 2011.  Sir Edmund Hillary is the father of the Sherpa people and he was the person who “opened our eyes" to the world. Sir Edmund Hillary was instrumental for the education and well being of people in the Solukhumbu region. In his lifetime, He built 30 schools, 2 hospitals, 13 health clinics, 2 airstrips and made countless other contributions. I was lucky to be in the first batch of students to study at Khumjung school; his first school and one which he built with his own hands. 

The Golden Jubilee is a great opportunity for us to remember Sir Edmund Hillary and celebrate the progress that he brought to the Sherpa people 

Peaks in the Far West and Mid West Region of Nepal open till 16 July 2014:

Nepal Government has declared Free Peak Permit Fee to all the Open Peaks of Mid Western and Far Western region of Nepal for mountaineering expedition until 16 July 2014. If you need any further information please let us know. 

Great Himalayan Trail

In Autumn 2011, Dawa Steven Sherpa and Apa Sherpa will be walking from East Nepal to West Nepal, to promote tourism in Rural Nepal. This is to support the Nepal Tourism Year 2011. The trek will take 5 months. If you want to join them to support the trek, there are short joining treks available. Tourism is a very important industry that gives people jobs and stimulates local economies. It is also very powerful force to help people adapt to climate change. 

International Prague Alpinism Festival:

International Prague Alpinism Festival, which is regarded as one of the most imperative gathering of the alpinist was held from 18th November to 21st November 2010. As usual this year also this festival was a grand success. More than 3000 Alpinists, Mountaineers, Environmentalists and Mountain Lovers participated in this festival. During this festival renowned mountaineers from around the world shared their experiences in climbing through their presentation. I was very honored to give a presentation on “Mountaineering, Effects of Climate Change in the Himalayas and Mountain Waste Management” at the event. 

Go Kamera Festival 2011 in Brno:

The Go KAMERA FESTIVAL 2011 was held from 14th to 16th January 2011. The principal topic of the 14th festival of travel films, photographs and publications (the largest event of its kind in the Czech Republic) was the Ice Extreme. The lectures, video screenings, talks and photography exhibitions brought thousands of travel enthusiasts from the Czech Republic and abroad to Brno Exhibition Centre over the course of 3 days. I forwarded my presentation on “A Highlight on Mountain Expedition” in the festival.

Millet One Sport Everest Boot  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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