   
HimalayaNet #60 (July 17, 1999)
Welcome to the latest addition of HimalayaNet.
We now have over 2,100
subscribers!
Hot off the press, the Nepalese government has announced a new visa policy
that will not require trekking permits for the Everest, Annapurna, and
Langtang regions. We're still waiting for more details, but some information
is included below.
Please send all contributions to himnet@hotmail.com. Please also remember
to include your membership number if you'd like to post a message.
Namaste!
Carrie Seitz
himnet@hotmail.com
IN THIS ISSUE:
1. REMINDER ABOUT CHANGING AN E-MAIL ADDRESS
2. SPOTS AVAILABLE FOR ISLAND PEAK AND SHERPA TEACHING PROGRAM
3. EXPERIENCED ENGLISH TEACHER NEEDED FOR NEPAL VILLAGE
4. RESPONSE TO HYDROGEN PEROXIDE IDEA
5. WEB ADDRESS FOR NEW "OXIMETER" TO MEASURE ACCLIMATIZATION
6. SEEKING INFO ON SUMMER TOUR GROUPS FOR KATHMANDU AND PONY TREKS IN
POKHARA
7. ***NEPAL GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES NEW VISA POLICY***
8. THE MYTH OF THE RAINSHADOW: MONSOON TREKKING IN NEPAL
9. ADVENTUROUS TRAVELER BOOKSTORE SPONSORSHIP
10. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING SECTION
11. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
12. HOW TO UNSUBSCRIBE TO HIMALAYANET
13. HOW TO SUBSCRIBE TO HIMALAYANET
14. HOW TO POST ON HIMALAYANET
15. HIMALAYAN EXPLORERS CLUB MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
16. HOW TO ADVERTISE ON HIMALAYANET
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1. REMINDER ABOUT CHANGING AN E-MAIL ADDRESS
For those changing e-mail addresses, you can first unsubscribe from your
old
address and then subscribe to your new address. To do this:
To unsubscribe, write a message to mail-request@mountainexplorers.org, with the message
unsubscribe himnet_Mail_List in the body of the message.
To subscribe, write a message to mail-request@mountainexplorers.org, with the message
subscribe himnet_Mail_List in the body of the message.
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2. SPOTS AVAILABLE FOR ISLAND PEAK AND SHERPA TEACHING PROGRAM
The HEC has one spot available for our fall teaching program in the Khumbu
region of Nepal. Participants live with a Sherpa family, and teach English
in one of the Sherpa schools. It's a great opportunity spend time in the
Khumbu region, "off the beaten path", and give back to this
wonderful
community. The response to the program, in fact, has been incredibly
positive: enrollment in the schools is up 50% since we started placing
English teachers!
The HEC also has a few spots available for the fall Everest trek and
Island
Peak Climb. We will be approaching the region via the Arun Valley, a more
remote trek with very few foreign visitors. Pemba, now living in Denver,
provides great insights into the Sherpa culture, and will even take the
group to visit and have dinner with his mother!
For more information on either of these please contact us soon at
info@mountainexplorers.org or call us at 303-998-0101 (303-998-0101).
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3. EXPERIENCED ENGLISH TEACHER NEEDED FOR NEPAL VILLAGE
The HEC has learned that there is an opening for an experienced English
(ESL) teacher in Nuwakot, Nepal. Nuwakot is an historic hill town about
3 1/2
hours from Kathmandu, near Trisuli Bazar, and offers views of the Ganesh
and Langtang Himal to the North.
The position is in the Nuwakot High School, where the students are between
14 and 20 years old. Class size will be about 20 students. The position
is
for about one year (a nontourist visa will be arranged), and will begin
this
fall. Room and board will probably be provided, but candidates must pay
their own airfare to Nepal.
Applicants must have experience teaching English as a second language
(ESL) and send resumes (C.V.s) to the Himalayan Explorers Club at info@mountainexplorers.org
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4. RESPONSE TO HYDROGEN PEROXIDE IDEA
In the last issue of HimalayaNet Michael Buccilli suggested taking food
grade hydrogen peroxide H2O2 to overcome some of the problems of high
ascents. A response to this:
WARNING!!! WARNING!!! WARNING!!! DO NOT consume hydrogen peroxide to
treat oxygen deprivation. This recommendation is HARMFUL AND COMPLETELY
UNFOUNDED. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) decomposes (spontaneously over time
or
enzymatically) to form water (H2O) and oxygen (O2). But when taken orally
the oxygen thus formed (in the gastro-intestinal tract) is unavailable
for
respiration!!! DO NOT FOLLOW THIS SUGGESTION!!!
Anthony G Borel
borel_anthony_g@lilly.com
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5. WEB ADDRESS FOR NEW "OXIMETER" TO MEASURE ACCLIMATIZATION
The last issue of HimalayaNet contained information about the new "Sportstat
Pulse Oximeter" from Nonin medical. The device is a small (2 oz.)
instrument
that measures blood oxygen saturation and pulse rate. Users need only
insert
a finger in the instrument to alert themselves to the potential onset
of
acute mountain sickness (AMS). Nonin contacted us that the correct Web
page
is http://www.sportstat.nonin.com You can also contact Theresa
Neddermeyer at Nonin at theresa@nonin.com for more information.
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6. SEEKING INFO ON SUMMER TOUR GROUPS FOR KATHMANDU AND PONY TREKS IN
POKHARA
Does anyone know of any American groups who will be touring Nepal in
early
August? I am traveling to Kathmandu on August 1. I will also visit
Pokhara. I am traveling alone and was wondering if it might be possible
to
join up with an American tour group while in Kathmandu? I am particularly
interested in going on a pony trek while in Pokhara.
ArizSunD@aol.com
Ms. Suzan Burkett, Ohio
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7. ***NEPAL GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES NEW VISA POLICY***
Kyodo News Service, KATHMANDU, July 12: The Nepalese government Sunday
abolished the permit and the accompanying fee for foreign trekkers visiting
the kingdom's popular Himalayan trails. No permit will henceforth be
required for foreign trekkers destined for areas such as the foot of Mt.
Everest, Finance Minister Mahesh Acharya said. The permit has also been
waived for visitors rafting in the country, he said. Nepal drew nearly
100,000 foreign trekkers and other adventure seekers in 1998, according
to
officials at the Tourism Ministry. The price of a visa to enter Nepal,
however, has been doubled to 30 dollars from 15 dollars, the minister
said.
The 30 dollar visa will be valid for two months, against the two weeks
permissible under the 15 dollar visa.
Gelbu, in the HEC Kathmandu Clubhouse, confirmed with the immigration
office
that a single entry visa will now cost $30 for the first 60 days. Thereafter
visa extension charges will be $50 for 30 days. As in the past, tourist
visas can only be extended for 150 days in Nepal (five months).
Trekking permits are no longer required for the normal trekking routes
in
the Everest ,Langtang, and Annapurna regions. Trekking permits will only
be
issued for the restricted area through registered trekking companies only.
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8. THE MYTH OF THE RAINSHADOW: MONSOON TREKKING IN NEPAL
Having just returned from another monsoon trek in Nepal, I'm convinced
that
the concept of the rainshadow may be more myth than fact. My wife and
I flew
into Jomsom in hope of avoiding the monsoon rains that pound the southern
side of the Himalayas (Pokhara has the highest rainfall in Nepal). While
we
were treated to breaks in the monsoon, we also encountered heavy clouds,
rain, mudslides, and even snow while crossing the Thorung La!
Our plan was to cross back to Jomsom via Tilicho Lake, but we changed
our
plans after days of heavy cloud cover and rain, and we decided to walk
to
Besisehar. In Besisehar, however, we learned that over 25 mudslides had
covered (and at points destroyed) the road to Dumre and Kathmandu! Over
the
next 16 hours we walked, took a short jeep ride, two short bus rides,
walked
some more, and finally took a taxi to Pokhara.
On the plus side, we saw very few tourists (maybe two a day) on a route
that
normally has 100-200 people a day heading towards the Thorung La. In
addition, lodge owners are less busy catering to tourists, and have more
time to spend with visitors.
A full list of the "pros and cons" of monsoon trekking will
be published in
the next issue of Himalayan News. In the meantime, monsoon trekkers be
prepared: make sure to take good rain gear!
Scott Dimetrosky
Director
Himalayan Explorers Club
scott@mountainexplorers.org
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9. ADVENTUROUS TRAVELER BOOKSTORE SPONSORSHIP
This newsletter is sponsored in part by www.AdventurousTraveler.com.
Check them out for the most complete collection of Himalayan guidebooks,
narratives and maps on the internet. Give them your HEC membership number
for a 10% discount!
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10. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING SECTION
(updated 11 June 1999)
TREK PARTNERS WANTED
CLIMBING PARTNERS wanted for technical climbs in Himalaya Nov 12 - Dec
15,1999. This is my first trip to Nepal so I know little about the area.
I
have climbed (ice and trad) extensively in Colorado and Utah and am climbing
Rainier in August. Not interested in climbing K2-like epics but would
like
to get on something moderately challenging. Please email at
kokinis@cs.utah.edu or call at 801 534-0871. Cheers, John Kokinis
GUIDES
CHO OYU -- Fall 1999 expedition to Cho Oyu is still seeking members.
Paolo
Paglino, an Italian UIAGM certified guide, will be leading the trip. Cost
is
only $6,500, very reasonable for this 8,201 meter peak (the 6th highest
mountain in the world). If you're looking for a great high altitude
experience, this one is it. For more information contact adventur@mos.com.np
Pakistan with Pakistanis: Concordia Expeditions, your premier connection
to
Pakistan, offers superior and affordable adventures to K2, Hunza, Snow
Lake,
Chitral, and the Karakoram Glaciers. Contact Concordia Expeditions, PO
Box
4159, Buena Vista, CO 81211 (719)395-9191, info@concordiaexpeditions.com,
http://www.concordiaexpeditions.com.
Explore Himalaya: Join us in fall 1999 on Cho Oyu (only $6,500!). Other
upcoming trips: Ama Dablam Sept 14 - Oct 18, 1999 ($4,000), Kanchenjunga
trek and Tengkoma climb (just opened trekking peak) Oct 11 - Nov 4, 1999
($2,080). Can also arrange individual/group holidays to all destinations
in
Nepal, India, and Tibet. High altitude treks & climbing, mountain
biking,
and white water rafting. Contact Suman Pandey, PO Box 4902, Kathmandu,
Nepal, Fax:977-1-252 115, e-mail: adventur@mos.com.np
Join the Himalayan Explorers Club in the Himalayas! Pemba Sherpa leads
Everest trek and Island Peak climb via the remote Arun Valley and Island
Peak (October 1999). Everest trek with Island Peak in March 1999.
Info@mountainexplorers.org or call(303)998-0101.
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NEPAL, TIBET, SIKKIM, LADAKH, & BHUTAN. Scheduled treks & tours
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or
phone (800)223-1813 or (510)222-5307.
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TRAVEL
Adventurous Traveler Bookstore offers the world's most complete selection
of
outdoor travel books and maps. Books, maps, and videos for the entire
Himalayan region. Call (800)282-3963 or order on the web at
http://www.adventurousTraveler.com. HEC members get 10% discount!
The Asian Trail is your FREE downloadable guide to work, travel, and
adventure in Asia. Job listings too! Get your copy of The Asian Trail
at
http://www.asiantrail.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
Ticket 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, fax (415) 288-9839, see our website
http://www.ticketplanet.com, or email us at himalayas@ticketplanet.com.
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VOLUNTEER/STUDY ABROAD
HEC's "Volunteer Nepal Himalaya" offers participants a unique
opportunity
to volunteer in local Sherpa village in the Himalayas. Participants spend
the first ten days in Kathmandu, doing an orientation in Nepali language
and
culture. Volunteers then fly to Lukla, the gateway to the Khumbu region
of
Nepal, and teach English in a Sherpa school for three months (while living
with a family). While not teaching, volunteers will be free to stay in
the
village or explore the endless trails and villages of the Khumbu region.
Upcoming programs Sept-Dec 1999 and Feb-May 2000. For more information,
please contact the HEC at info@mountainexplorers.org or call (303) 998-0101.
Himalayan Study-Abroad Program. Applications now being accepted for Fall
1999 and Fall 2000. Participants
will study tourism development along the Everest route, then design
community development projects for remote Rolwaling valley, according
to
individual interests and community needs.
Info: www.bridges-prtd.com
Contact: sicroff@bridges-prtd.com
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