    HimalayaNet (January 2003)
Welcome to the 100th edition of HimalayaNet, the online newsletter of the Himalayan Explorers Connection. A lot has changed since our first issue in 1996, sent to only 100 subscribers. Most notably, we're now up to about 4,000 subscribers!
To celebrate the 100th issue we are giving away a prayer flag to the first person that can correctly identified the HEC member that first launched HimalayaNet (email info@mountainexplorers.org).
Remember, HEC members have contributed to our projects and have received a membership card. Still not a member yet enjoying these issues? We urgently need your support as we expand our Porter Assistance Project into Kilimanjaro. Look for a hard copy mailing soon. If you don't receive it you can join online at www.mountainexplorers.org
Remember send all contributions to himalayanet@mountainexplorers.org, and remember to include your membership number if you'd like to post a message.
Scott Dimetrosky
Executive Director, HEC
IN THIS ISSUE:
HIMALAYAN NEWS
1. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE ISSUES NEW PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT FOR NEPAL
2. LETTER TO OPPOSE U.S. MILITARY AID TO NEPAL
3. KARING FOR KIDS (KFK NEPAL) SEEKS MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORT
4. SHERPA FUND SEEKS DONATION FOR BOOKS, SCHOOL UNIFORMS, TUITION
5. TRAVEL WARNING ANNOUNCED FOR PAKISTAN
6. CLARIFICATION ABOUT NEPALESE CLIMBING ORGANIZATIONS
7. KING GYANENDRA ADDS 13 MEMBERS TO NEPAL CABINET
8. 10,000 ATTEND PUBLIC MEETING TO DENOUNCE KING IN NEPAL
HIMALAYAN EXPLORERS CONNECTION UPDATES
9. HEC PORTER ASSISTANCE PROJECT
10.VOLUNTEER NEPAL HIMALAYA UPDATE
11.HEC SEEKING FEEDBACK ON OUR NEPAL VOLUNTEER HANDBOOK
12.HEC FUNDRAISER CLIMB OF KILIMANAJARO
13.HEC MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
14.HIMALAYAN SERIES NOTECARDS AVAILABLE
MEMBER POSTINGS
15. LOOKING FOR CONTACT INFO FOR HICAST VERTERINARY SCHOOL IN NEPAL
MONTHLY FEATURES
16. INTERNET CONNECTION: WHAT'S NEW ON THE WEB (INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE MOUNTAINS)
17. UPCOMING EVENTS
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING SECTION
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
HOW TO POST ON HIMALAYNET
HIMALAYAN EXPLORERS MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
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HIMALAYAN NEWS
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1. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE ISSUES NEW PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT FOR NEPAL
November 22, 2002
This Public Announcement is being issued to advise of a heightened security risk to American citizens based on threats against the "American Diplomatic Mission" issued by Maoist insurgents. This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement of September 3, 2002. It expires on May 20, 2003.
In a November 15, 2002, press release, the Maoists claimed responsibility for targeting and brutally murdering two locally hired U.S. Embassy security guard employees in separate incidents that occurred on December 15, 2001, and November 9, 2002. Included in the press release are threats of further violence against any party or "diplomatic communities...working against the Maoists," including the "American Diplomatic Mission."
U.S. citizens should consider deferring non-essential travel to Nepal until the implications of the Maoist-issued press statement for the security of Americans in Nepal can be fully ascertained. Americans currently living in or visiting Nepal should heighten their security precautions and awareness at this time. While the Maoist press release states that Maoist actions are not targeted at foreign tourists, its repeated threatening references to the "American Mission" implies a heightened risk for both official and private Americans in Nepal. U.S. citizens should vary routes and times of travel, maintain increased vigilance at all times, keep alert for possible surveillance, and report suspicious activities to the U.S. Embassy's Security Officer.
In areas outside the Kathmandu Valley, the situation is tense and uncertain, with armed conflicts between the Maoists and government security forces occurring sporadically and unpredictably. Several recent incidents of violence have occurred on main highways outside the Kathmandu Valley, including the roads linking Kathmandu with the Tibetan and Indian borders and the tourist destinations of Pokhara and the Chitwan National Park.
Reports of threats against and robberies of American trekkers, property destruction suffered by two businesses with an American affiliation, and anti-American rhetoric by the Maoist leadership indicate continuing risk to Americans in Nepal, particularly outside the Kathmandu Valley.
Americans who want to travel outside the Valley are strongly urged to contact the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu for the most recent security information before undertaking such travel. The security situation in Nepal may change with little notice. Maoist destruction of telephone service and Government offices in some trekking areas complicates efforts to locate Americans and to make arrangements for emergency medical evacuations.
For further information on travel to Nepal, please consult the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet on Nepal and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement dated July 1, 2002, at http://travel.state.gov and the American Embassy in Nepal's home page at http://www.south-asia.com/USA. Americans living in or visiting Nepal are strongly urged to register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Nepal by e-mail by accessing the Embassy's home page or by personal appearance. The U.S. Embassy is located at Pani Pokhari in Kathmandu, telephone (977) (1) 411179; fax (977) (1) 419963.
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2. LETTER TO OPPOSE U.S. MILITARY AID TO NEPAL
The Association of Nepal and Himalayan Studies has developed a letter and detailed memorandum opposing US military involvement in Nepal, addressed to appropriate US policy makers. Anyone can sign, regardless of citizenship.
You can view and sign this letter at:
http://www.angelfire.com/empire2/nepal/patra.html
Note the deadline for signatures was November 7, 2002, although the letter does continue to appear on the Web.
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3. KARING FOR KIDS (KFK NEPAL) SEEKS MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORT
Karing for Kids (KFK Nepal) runs a Mother and Child Health Clinic (MCH-Clinic) in the rural mountain communities of Rasuwa, Nepal. KFK Nepal is a non-government charity organization working to save the lives of children in Nepal since 1997.
KFK-Nepal's MCH Clinic has been providing the medical services to approximately 7,000 people of remote Gatlang, Goljung, and Chilime villages of Rasuwa district since late 2000. Before this clinic was established, there was no medical service available in these communities.
Beginning in late 1998, KFK-Nepal developed a plan to provide health care services to the above needy communities through the establishment of a regular clinic targeting mother and children. In the process of materializing its plan, KFK was able to obtain a community building for KFK to set up a clinic.
KFK operates on an extremely low budget. For about the cost of lunch in an American restaurant, $15.00/day, we staff the clinic and provide medical supplies and equipment as well as overhead costs, such as utilities. But even this small sum of money is difficult to obtain in a country as poor as Nepal. We desperately need your help to save lives and improve the health and well being of these poor, indigenous Buddhist-Tamang communities on the Nepal-Tibet border.
Volunteers support: We welcome and encourage professionally trained medical personal, preferably nurse practitioners, midwife, and medical doctors to provide volunteer services in our clinic. Interested individuals should be able to cover his or her own costs while we will provide free accommodations.
Individual/Institutional/Corporate Sponsorship: We welcome and encourage individuals or others to sponsor our basic clinic operation cost. To meet our yearly budget of US$7500, we need just 25 people to contribute the small sum of US$ 25/month. That is less than $1.00 a day to keep this clinic open!
For further information please contact:
KFK-Nepal, P.O. Box 1170, Sandia Park, NM, 87047, USA. Tel: 800-743-1929, Email: karingforkids@yahoo.com
Address in Nepal: P.O. Box 7736, Kathmandu, Nepal. Tel/Fax: 977-1-418392
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4. SHERPA FUND SEEKS DONATION FOR BOOKS, SCHOOL UNIFORMS, TUITION
The Sherpa Education Fund <http://www.sherpafund.org/> is a small non-profit which raises funds to put Sherpa children through school. The vision of our Foundation is to improve the lives of people living in indigenous mountain areas, with our current focus being on the Sherpa people. Our goal is to help develop these communities for the future, while preserving their traditions, heritage and environment. Since 1999 we have been supporting six Sherpa children with school scholarships, and are delighted that this year we have added two girls.
For more information or to be added to our mailing list, please see our website or email <mailto:alison@sherpafund.org>.
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5. TRAVEL WARNING ANNOUNCED FOR PAKISTAN
[Reprinted from the American Alpine Club e-news, www.americanalpineclub.org]
Greg Mortenson, executive director of the Central Asia Institute and one of the most knowledgeable Americans about Pakistan, recently sent out an email warning Americans about travel to Pakistan due to the execution of Mir Aimal Kasi on November 15. "I've never sent out a 'warning' in 26 trips to and a decade of work in Pakistan and Afghanistan, but today's (11/15/02)impending execution of Mir Aimal Kasi takes the cake," wrote Mortenson. "Please notify anyone you have in the field to keep a low profile for the next week or two. There is an extremely HIGH probability Americans WILL be targeted soon if this execution happens today."
Mir Aimal Kasi, a Pakistani (actually a Beluchistan Pusthan), killed two CIA agents outside Langley Virginia on January 25, 1993. Immediately after he was sentenced to death in November 1997, four American oil accountants were gunned down in their car and killed in Karachi. His execution in Virginia may become a lightening rod for further unrest. News reports indicate that thousands chanted anti-American slogans when Kasi's body arrived home in Pakistan on Monday.
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6. CLARIFICATION ABOUT NEPALESE CLIMBING ORGANIZATIONS
[Reprinted from the American Alpine Club e-news, www.americanalpineclub.org]
The Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) recently sent a message to UIAA mountaineering associations alerting them to the establishment of the Nepal Mountaineering Federation, which was established recently under the direction of Mr. Tek Chandra (T.C.) Pokharel. News of the new organization has created some confusion due to the similarity in the two organizations' names. Bhumi Lal Lama, general secretary of the NMA, reiterated that the NMA remains the official federation of Nepalese mountaineering within the country and in international bodies, including the UIAA.
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7. KING GYANENDRA ADDS 13 MEMBERS TO NEPAL CABINET
http://in.news.yahoo.com/021118/137/1xx82.html
KATHMANDU (Reuters) - Nepal's King Gyanendra, who seized direct power last month, shut out mainstream political parties when he named 13 new ministers to the cabinet on Monday.
A palace statement read on state-run Radio Nepal said Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand would hold the key defence portfolio that oversees military operations against Maoist rebels fighting to topple the constitutional monarchy.
Dharma Bahadur Thapa, a retired bureaucrat, remained the interior minister and Narendra Bikram Shah, a former diplomat, kept the foreign affairs portfolio.
Analysts said the cabinet expansion could widen the rift between the king and political parties because none of the ministers belonged to any major party. Fourteen of the 22 cabinet members are professionals.
Gyanendra fired then Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba last month after Deuba sought to delay national elections because of a growing threat from Maoist rebels.
He replaced Deuba with Chand, a staunch royalist, who has vowed to hold early elections but has set no date.
The king's dismissal of the prime minister was unprecedented because it was the first time the monarch had assumed direct power since absolute monarchy ended 12 years.
Mainstream political parties have criticised the king and refused to join the interim government headed by Chand.
"The cabinet changes by the monarch will most likely increase the rift between the king and the political parties because they have been undermined," said Yubaraj Ghimire, editor of the largest selling daily, Kantipur.
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8. 10,000 ATTEND PUBLIC MEETING TO DENOUNCE KING IN NEPAL
http://in.news.yahoo.com/021126/6/1ygfq.html
KATHMANDU (AFP) - Around 10,000 people gathered in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu to protest the "unconstitutional" sacking of the prime minister by King Gyanendra, witnesses said.
Riot police were posted at the venue of the meeting, organised by the Nepal Students' Union (NSU), a sister organisation of the Nepali Congress, the kingdom's oldest political party, but it passed off peacefully.
It was the first such meeting since Gyanendra dismissed elected prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on October 4 calling him "incompetent."
The king, who is supposed to be a largely ceremonial head of state, took over for a week before installing an interim government headed by staunch royalist Lokendra Bahadur Chand.
He also suspended parliamentary elections which were due to take place in November. No new date has been set.
Nepali Congress spokesman Arjun Narsingh KC said politicians should join forces to launch a struggle against the king's unconstitutional action.
"We will defend the constitution at any cost and no one has the right to go against the will of the people," he said.
"We are ready to sacrifice our lives for the sake of democracy."
"The king must remain within the limits of the constitution," added Yadav Pandit, general secretary of the NSU.
Nepal has had a constitutional monarchy since 1990 when former king Birendra gave up many of his powers following mass protests.
Birendra was killed along with ten other members of the royal family in June 2001, following which his brother Gyanendra took the throne.
"It is an irony that one king gives up his powers for the sake of democracy while another king tries to take back everything," former prime minister and NC president Girija Prasad Koirala told the rally.
"The greatest problem faced by Nepal is the Maoist insurgency and at a time when we were discussing how to solve the problem and how to bring them into the present political mainstream, the parliament was suddenly dissolved," he said.
"Without solving the insurgency problem, we cannot think of development," he said.
A Maoist rebellion has killed nearly 7,300 people since it began in 1996. The guerrillas are fighting to overthrow the monarchy and want the formation of an all-party government and an assembly to formulate a new constitution.
But Koirala also criticised the rebels.
"We have a democratic constitution which guarantees people's sovereignty so what do we need another constitution for?" he said.
He said those who wanted a new constitution should spell out the exact justification for it.
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HIMALAYAN EXPLORERS CONNECTION UPDATES
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9. HEC PORTER ASSISTANCE PROJECT
Kilimanjaro Update
The Kilimanjaro Porter Assistance Project has located an office in Moshi next to The Coffee Shop. The office will be open in Dec 2002 with clothing from Nike, Montrail, Mountain Hardware, Smartwool, Thorlos, and Lowe Alpine. Classes for porters and tourist education programs will also take place at the office. If you plan on going to Moshi and would like to stop in to help teach a class, sort clothing, educate others please contact ken@mountainexplorers.org (in the U.S.) or donovan_pacholl@yahoo.com in Tanzania.
The HEC still needs substantial help with the ongoing costs for this expansion. If you can help please send your tax-deductible donation to HEC.
Porter Assistance Project in National Geographic Adventure (on-line)
Three porters died on Mt Kilimanjaro in Sept 2002. The report from the Kilimanjaro Porter Association stated they died from a dramatic change of weather and lack of proper mountain clothing. National Geographic reported the deaths at
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/11/1115_021115_KilimanPorters.html and mentioned HEC is working to set up the Kilimanjaro Porter Assistance Project. Please support HEC as we set up this program, there is a need for clothing, couriers to transport the clothing, and financial needs. All donations are tax-deductible.
Nepal Porter Assistance Project
The HEC office continues to loan clothing to porters and provide tourist education programs. If you're in Kathmandu stop by the office to learn more about the program and view the BBC documentary "Carrying the Burden." If your trekking in the mountains, make sure your aware of proper care for you porters, visit www.mountainexplorers.org for details. If your porters need clothing, come to our offices and we can provide loaned clothing for your porter. Nearly 100 porters are currently trekking in equipment loaned from our office! We want to thank the companies that support this program by donating clothing, visit www.mountainexplorers.org to see all the companies that help.
HEC and Room to Read team up to provide books for school in Tanzania
HEC and Room to Read have teamed up to provide children books to a school in Tanzania. The first school received books in November 2002. Carrie O'Calloghan, a local Tanzanian resident stated, "I just wanted to tell you again what an amazing experience that was donating those books to that school. Not only were the kids soooo into them, the teachers were unbelievable thankful! You should have seen at the end when the principle and one of the teachers were leafing through the books. The teacher had a book on the body, like a little kid book explaining different body parts and that everybody has different features. He just couldn't believe his eyes, I think the guy must have spent another two hours looking at that book after we left (we were fearful that the students wouldn't get to see the books until after all the teachers had their turn)! We'll be getting some pictures in the internet soon. If you can take over a box of books on your way to a climb or safari in Tanzania and live in Oregon or Washington, contact ken@mountainexplorers.org.
Couriers Always Needed
Do you plan to go to Nepal Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), or the Inca Trail? Are you from Oregon, Washington, Colorado, or N.E. United State? Would you like to help transport clothing needed for our Porter Assistance Project? HEC and Porters' Progress have clothing in these locations that needs to be transported to Nepal, Kilimanjaro or Peru. We will provide you with a duffel of clothing, within airline specifications, that you can take as baggage on your trip. All U.S. based trips allow 2 checked bags. You can examine all the contents to feel comfortable about taking an extra bag. If your interested please contact ken@mountainexplorers.org for more details.
We are always looking for more clothing for porters, if you would like to have a clothing drive or help gather clothing contact ken@mountainexplorers.org to find our the current needs for the porters. We are looking for new or slightly used clothing that porters would wear at the high altitudes, such as wool socks, shoes, jackets, pants, hats, and gloves. If you have contacts with outdoor clothing companies that would like to donate to the Porter Assistance Project please let us know.
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10. VOLUNTEER NEPAL HIMALAYA UPDATE
Due to the political violence in Nepal the HEC - along with a number of study abroad programs - was forced to cancel our spring and fall 2002 Volunteer Nepal Himalaya Teaching program. This was a difficult decision for us, and we are extremely disappointed that the schools, families, and participants can't share and benefit from this unique program. We are still hoping to run the spring 2003 program, however, so if you are interested please contact us.
If you are interested in going sooner, remember that the HEC publishes the Nepal Volunteer Handbook with leads on over 50 NGOs and volunteer programs, many of whom are still looking for volunteers.
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11. HEC SEEKING FEEDBACK ON OUR NEPAL VOLUNTEER HANDBOOK
Over 300 HEC members have used the Nepal Volunteer Handbook over the past four years. Have you found it helpful? Did you volunteer with one of the organizations in the Handbook?
We are looking for feedback to update the handbook and begin featuring information about the different organizations in Himalayan News, the hardcopy newsletter of the HEC. Please contact us soon with your feedback on this important resource for HEC members.
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12. HEC FUNDRAISER CLIMB OF KILIMANAJARO
The HEC is organizing a fundraiser climb of Kilimanjaro in January 2002 and July 2003 for the Porter Assistance Project, which will be opening a Porter Clothing Bank in Africa in December 2002. Chris Morris, an accomplished climber and guide, will be leading the January climb. Chris frequently climbs with Erik Weihenmayer (the first blind climber to summit Everest), and has guided on Everest, Denali (21 expeditions), Vinson, and many other expeditions in North and South America. This is a great opportunity to reach the highest point on the African continent, learn about the hardworking men that support the climbers, support a good cause, and join one of America's top climbers and guides. Visit http://www.mountainexplorers.org/club/kiliclimb.htm for more information or contact us at info@mountainexplorers.org
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13. HEC MEMBERSHIP DRIVE AND FUNDRAISER
Look for an HEC mailing in the coming weeks with an update of all our work from 2002, plus plans for our 2003 projects. We'll need your assistance more then ever as we expand our work into Africa, and thank you in advance for your support. Better yet, those that renew their membership or make a donation are entered into a raffle to win LEKI trekking poles, a North Face backpack, a Lowe Alpine backpack, and gift certificates to Mountain Gear and Mountain Sports.
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14. HIMALAYAN SERIES NOTECARDS AVAILABLE
Buy your holiday notecards and support the HEC! Storysoup and Caroline Johnson's World in My Eye Photography announce the release of The Himalayan Series. The series includes four remarkable images accompanied by travel journal entries from Caroline's trekking experience in the Himalayas and through the Khumbu Valley. The cards, packaged in sets of 8 cards and envelopes (two each of four images), are being offered to HEC members at a 10% discount. The notecards retail at $15.00, but members can purchase their sets for $13.50. And the best part is that a portion of your sale will be contributed back to help support the HEC! The notecards are perfect for personal correspondence, business notes or general gift giving. To order, please visit Storysoup's website at www.storysoup.com .
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MEMBER POSTINGS
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15. LOOKING FOR CONTACT INFO FOR HICAST VERTERINARY SCHOOL IN NEPAL
I spent five weeks in Nepal this spring. I did the Everest base camp trek
and spent a week or so in Kathmandu. While there I lectured to the students of HICAST, The only Nepalese private veterinary school. I would like to send supplies to this school. While in Kathmandu I was the victim of a pick pocket and lost all my contact information for the school. I have about one hundred pounds of text books and school supplies that I need to get to them, can you help?
Matthew Sachs DVM, matthewsachs@msn.com
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MONTHLY FEATURES
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16. INTERNET CONNECTION: WHAT'S NEW ON THE WEB (INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE MOUNTAINS)
The International Year of Mountains is wrapping up, but the opportunity to take steps to protect mountain ecosystems, to promote peace and stability in mountain regions and to help mountain people attain their goals and aspirations remains critical. Visit the IYM Web site (www.mountains2002.org) for issues facing the mountain regions of the world.
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17. UPCOMING EVENTS
December 2-10, 2003: Exhibit and On-line High Asia Photography Auction
The Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies (a non-profit--501[c]3--educational association) will run an on-line benefit auction of photographs contributed by photographers to the juried "Journey to High Asia" exhibit (at the Littman Gallery, Portland State University, 11/7-11/27). Minimum bids for the photographs range from $35 to $80, and the price of the photographs is deductible to the extent the law allows. View the winners and 40 other exceptional images chosen for the exhibit at www.himalayan.pdx.edu
December 10-13, 2002: Himalayan Biodiversity Conference
In commemoration of The International Year of Mountains (IYM) 2002 and The International Year of Eco-tourism, 2002, I am pleased to convey you that the Himalayan Resources Institute (HIRI) Nepal is going to organize an International Conference on Himalayan Biodiversity on December 10-13, 2002 in Kathmandu, Nepal. hirinepal@mail.com.np
January 26, 2003: All Together Now International Benefit
All Together Now International, Colorado Friends of Tibet, and the Himalayan Explorers Connection will host a BENEFIT CONCERT that will bring together the spiritual music of R. Carlos Nakai, Native American flutist, Nawang Khechog, Tibetan flutist, and others, at the Boulder Theater on Saturday, 25 January, 2003, at 7:00pm. For more information contact Dan@alltogether.org or visit www.alltogether.org
February 7-8, 2003: HEC Slide Show, Sherpa Fund Gear Swap
Scott Dimetrosky and Ken Stober of the HEC will present a multimedia show on February 7 (7pm) at the Seattle REI Flagship Store. The presentation will include a screening of Carrying the Burden, runner-up for the People's Choice award in the 2001 Banff Mountain Film Festival, as well as slides and video of the HEC projects in Nepal and Africa. On Saturday, February 8, the Sherpa Fund will sponsor a gear swap at REI and also collect clothing for the Porter Assistance Project. For more information contact info@mountainexplorers.org or call REI at (206) 223-1944.
May 2003: Exploris Everest/Nepal Educational Activities
Exploris is a non-profit museum located in Raleigh, North Carolina. Our mission is to encourage Exploris visitors to appreciate similarities, respect differences and make connections with people around the world. In May 2003, we are showing Everest, the IMAX film. Educational activities during the running of the film will focus on both Everest and the people and culture of Nepal. Climbers from North Carolina, South Carolina or Virginia are invited to contact us to Speak. sthapa@exploris.org, 919.857.1007, www.exploris.org
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CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING SECTION (UPDATED NOVEMBER 2002)
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Explore Himalaya offers legendry adventure holidays to all destinations in Nepal, Tibet, Sikkim, and Bhutan. Hard or soft Himalayan treks, mountaineering expeditions, mountain biking, Mt. Kailash pilgrimage and Tibet overland by 4WD Jeep. Special discount for HEC members.
Fax: +977 1 252115, Tel: +977 1 252990
sales@explore-himalaya.com
www.explore-himalaya.com
Join the Himalayan Explorers Connection in the Himalayas! In March 2003 Pemba Sherpa leads an Everest trek with Island Peak. The trip include an excursion "off the beaten path" to Sewangma, where Pemba grew up and the location of the HEC Bridge Project, and to the Sano-Gomela School project.
Phone: 303-998-0101.
info@mountainexplorers.org
KIMAMBONI GUEST HOUSE, TANZANIA. Off the beaten path, fully furnished home with four bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, dining room, hot water, TV, outdoor fire pit, newly finished outdoor bamboo thatch house. Great views of Kilimanjaro. Hike the foothills of Kilimanjaro, visit Chagga villages to see corn and coffee harvest, visit local schools and churches.
donovan_pacholl@yahoo.com
NEW INEXPENSIVE HIMALAYAN CLIMBING AND TREKKING with Daniel Mazur. Prices reduced due to recent events. Full service low cost expeditions inside Nepal, Tibet and China: Amadablam, Pumori, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna. Check out our NEWEST "LOW-BUDGET" TOURS: Mustagh-Ata, Cho-Oyu, Everest, Mt Kailash, Tibetan 7000 meter peaks, and 6000 meter trekking peaks in Nepal and Tibet.
Phone: 206-329-4107
summitclimb@earthlink.net
www.summitclimb.com
NEPAL, SIKKIM, BHUTAN & TIBET. Scheduled treks & tours with USA leader of 33 Sierra Club Himalayan trips. From $425. Custom itineraries too. Off-the-beaten track areas. Environmentally sensitive and porter friendly. Peter Owens' Asian Treks.
Phone: 800-223-1813 or 510-222-5307
petertrek@worldnet.att.net
http://www.instantweb.com/p/peterowens
Discover the Himalayas with local expert Pemba Sherpa at Sherpa Ascent International. Around Annapurna trek and more. Proceeds also support HEC projects.
Phone: 888-568-8924
pemba@sherpaascent.com
www.sherpaascent.com
World of Wonder Adventures, Inc. - The adventure travel specialists that personally take you to the places you've always wanted to go, to do the things you have always wanted to do. Visit our website at http://www.wowadventure.com for upcoming adventures including Everest Base Camp and Mt Kilimanjaro - Africa.
888-4-WOW-FUN
wowadventure@earthlink.net
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TRAVEL
Circle the Planet. We are America's leading round the world air consolidator, and also your Nepal airfare experts. We can get seats to Kathmandu when others can't. We broker over 50 airlines. We have over 15 years of experience pricing international airfares. Please contact us at (800) 799-8888, (415) 288-9999
trips@circletheplanet.com
http://www.circletheplanet.com
Himalayan Treasures and Travel. We have seats to Kathmandu all the time. Call us for the best price and best service. We book for many HEC members and give HEC discounts! Call 800-223-1813 or 510-222-5307.
govindsh@himtrek.com
http://www.himalayantrekking.com.
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VOLUNTEER/STUDY ABROAD
Volunteer Nepal Himalaya offers participants a unique opportunity to teach English in Sherpa villages in the Himalayas, near Mt. Everest. Accommodations are with local families. While not teaching, participants work on community service projects or explore the endless trails and villages of the Khumbu region. For more information, please contact the Himalayan Explorers Connection at info@mountainexplorers.org or call (303)998-0101.
Bridges: Projects in Rational Tourism Development. Join the fourth expedition of our Himalayan volunteer and academic program in Spring 2003. Study tourism development and implement development projects in the spectacular and remote Rolwaling valley, including the installation of the first hydro plant and the inauguration of a climbing school for tourists. Open to students and other interested. http://www.bridges-prtd.com or e-mail sicroff@bridges-prtd.com
The Nepal Volunteer Handbook offers potential volunteers everything they will need to know about volunteering in Nepal, including a personal skills assessment, background on the history of foreign assistance in Nepal, tips for ensuring a worthwhile experience, and information on over 50 volunteer leads. Contact the HEC at (303)998-0101 or info@mountainexplorers.org
Explore Himalaya has launched a community service project in Nuwakot, 75km northwest of Kathmandu. We are looking for English and science teachers. We are also seeking support to develop a science laboratory. Please e-mail suman@mail.explore-himalaya.com or visit http://www.explore-himalaya.com/community_service.htm for more information.
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HOW TO POST ON HIMALAYANET
(1) Send your HimalayaNet postings to himalayanet@mountainexplorers.org Be sure to include your membership number in your e-mail. Only members can post on HimalayaNet. If you've lost your membership card, E-mail the HEC at info@mountainexplorers.org.
(2) Put your E-mail address at the bottom of your posting.
(3) Send responses to postings directly to the author at the address listed.
(4) If you receive responses to your posting, please send the moderator (himalayanet@mountainexplorers.org) a summary if the topic is of general interest so it can be sent it out to all subscribers in the next issue.
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HIMALAYAN EXPLORERS CONNECTION MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
The Himalayan Explorers Connection (HEC) is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that seeks to promote a better understanding of and respect for the environment and cultures of the Himalayan Region. The HEC coordinates education, assistance, and cross-cultural experiences for members, volunteers, trekkers, and Himalayan residents.
Members can receive e-mail and postal mail, store luggage, use our Internet phone to call the U.S. (no cost), and browse through trip reports at our Clubhouses in Kathmandu and Islamabad, Pakistan. In addition, members receive discounts with many hotels, restaurants, shops, and travel agents. Members also receive our hardcopy newsletter, Himalayan News. Corporate memberships are also available.
For more information about the HEC please contact us at:
Himalayan Explorers Connection
PO Box 3665
Boulder, CO 80307
Phone: (303)998-0101
Fax: (303)998-1007
info@mountainexplorers.org
http://www.mountainexplorers.org
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