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HimalayaNet #92 (March 2002)Welcome to the March 2002 edition of HimalayaNet, the online newsletter of the Himalayan Explorers Connection. Fighting continues between between the Nepalese military and the Maoists, but a letter from Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai invites tourists to visit Nepal.Please 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: LOCAL NEWS 1. REPORTS OF CONTINUED ATTACKS ON MAOISTS, STRIKE CALLED 2. NEPAL CRITICIZED FOR DETAINING JOURNALISTS 3. U.S. DEPARTMENT ISSUES REPORT ON NEPAL HUMAN RIGHTS PRACTICES 4. U.S. STATE DEPT ISSUES TRAVEL WARNING FOR NEPAL 5-DAY GENERAL STRIKE 5. U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT UPDATES TRAVEL WARNING FOR PAKISTAN 6. MAOIST LEADER INVITES TOURISTS TO VISIT NEPAL 7. "FREE A CHILD" SEEKS TO END TRAFFICKING OF WOMEN 8. INSURGENCY CREATING INCREASED RISK FOR RHINO POPULATION 9. KALI GANDAKI HYDRO PROJECT COMES ONLINE IN NEPAL: EXPORT NEXT? 10. CHILDREN BANNED FROM CLIMBING EVEREST, NEW CLIMBING FEES HIMALAYAN EXPLORERS CONNECTION UPDATES 11. SPRING 2002 HIMALAYAN NEWS IN THE MAIL 12. PORTER ASSISTANCE PROJECT: COURIERS NEEDED 13. VOLUNTEER NEPAL HIMALAYA UPDATE 14. HEC WEB MASTER NEEDED MEMBER POSTINGS 15. LOOKING FOR TREKKING PARTNERS FOR APRIL 2002 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING SECTION VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES HOW TO POST ON HIMALAYNET HIMALAYAN EXPLORERS MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION ********************************************************************** LOCAL NEWS ********************************************************************** 1. REPORTS OF CONTINUED ATTACKS ON MAOISTS, STRIKE CALLED Reports continue to come from Nepal about fighting between the Nepalese army and Maoists. Sensationalistic headlines like "Troops gun down 30 Maoists in fresh operations" and "26 more Maoists killed" continue to fill the pages of the Nepalese newspapers (visit www.nepalnews.com for many of the stories). If planning to travel in Nepal, be aware that the Maoists have called a five-day nationwide general stike (bandh) starting April 2nd. (The day coincides with the beginning of this year's School Leaving Certificate Examination). For more information see the U.S. State Department Advisory and the letter from Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai below. ********************************************************************** 2. NEPAL CRITICIZED FOR DETAINING JOURNALISTS From BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/south_asia/newsid_1896000/1896494.stm Kathmandu, March 27, 2002. The government of Nepal has severely violated press freedoms in its campaign to defeat a six-year Maoist insurgency, an international media watchdog has said. The Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said in a report released on Wednesday that journalists had paid a "high price" since the government declared a state of emergency in November. The report said at least 100 journalists had been arrested and at least 30 were still behind bars. The rights group said it had confirmed that at least three journalists had been tortured. The government declared the state of emergency two days after Maoist rebels broke a four-month ceasefire in their armed campaign to topple the constitutional monarchy. Amid mounting pressure on its rights record, the government released two journalists and two human rights activists from detention on Tuesday. All four had been arrested for allegedly supporting Maoist rebels. One of the journalists, Gopal Budhathoki, was detained for allegedly trying to demoralise the army with his articles. A major campaign by Amnesty International was also initiated on his behalf. The government of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba launched a massive nationwide crackdown after rebels launched their biggest attack yet in November. And according to the RSF report, the media has become a prime target. "The troops do as they please," rights activist Subodh Raj Pyakurel was quoted as saying. "They completely violate the laws by arresting, questioning, torturing and detaining suspects, especially journalists," he said. The report said dozens of journalists had been arrested in areas affected by the conflict and ordered under interrogation to reveal the names of any contacts they might have among the rebels. About 3,000 people have died since the Maoists launched their insurgency six years ago. But the report said accurate casualties figures were increasingly difficult to come by. It said that half a dozen publications linked to the Maoists had been closed since the state of emergency was declared. There had also been a growing number of raids by security forces on newsrooms. The report quoted Mr Deuba as saying the crackdown was meant to "put an end to terrorist propaganda once and for all". A Reporters Without Borders representative urged the prime minister to release the detained journalists. He replied that "investigations were making progress." "If any errors have been made, the individuals concerned will be freed and compensated," the report quoted Mr Deuba as saying. ********************************************************************** 3. U.S. DEPARTMENT ISSUES REPORT ON NEPAL HUMAN RIGHTS PRACTICES U.S. State Department, March 4, 2002 "The Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens; however, there were problems in some areas. The police at times used unwarranted lethal force and continued to abuse detainees, using torture as punishment or to extract confessions." "While the Government has begun to pay compensation to some victims, the police officers involved seldom are punished. The disappearance of persons in custody is a problem. Prison conditions remain poor. The authorities use arbitrary arrest and detention." "Lengthy pretrial detention, judicial susceptibility to political pressure and corruption, and long delays in trial procedures remain problems. The Government at times imposes some restrictions on freedom of expression, and the media practices self-censorship." "The Constitution imposes restrictions on proselytizing to spread religion. Women, the disabled, and lower castes suffer from widespread discrimination. Violence against women, trafficking in women and girls for prostitution, forced labor, and child labor also remain serious problems." "During the year, the Maoists increased the scope of their campaign, frequently committing torture, killings, bombings, and other abuses." Full text can be found at: http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2001/sa/8234.htm ********************************************************************** 4. U.S. STATE DEPT ISSUES TRAVEL WARNING FOR NEPAL 5-DAY GENERAL STRIKE NEPAL Public Announcement U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman March 22, 2002 This Public Announcement is being issued to alert American citizens that the conflict between Maoist insurgents and the Government of Nepal continues and that the State of Emergency imposed by the government in November 2001 remains in effect. Maoist violence throughout Nepal has increased over the past two months. Maoists have once again called for a bandh (general strike), from April 2-6, although it is unclear whether it will be observed. In addition, Maoist leadership has issued a communique warning of certain risks to foreign tourists and threatening to disrupt the tourism industry. U.S. citizens are urged to carefully factor the potential for violence and the possible disruption of in-country transportation into their plans. This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcements for Nepal dated January 24 and February 8, 2002. Maoist violence throughout Nepal has been increasing over the past two months. In some areas outside the Kathmandu Valley, the situation is tense and uncertain, with armed conflicts between the Maoists and 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 Chitwan National Park. As part of their attempt to impose a five-day nationwide bandh (general strike) from April 2-6, the Maoist leadership has issued a letter containing explicit threats against the tourism industry in Nepal. The letter states that the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) has been at war with the Government of Nepal since 1996 and notes that "during wartime the unassuming traveler can be caught between the crossfire of the contending armies." It threatens hotels, airlines, buses and other travel businesses owned by prominent Nepalese, and warns foreign tourists not to participate in certain tourist activities within Nepal during the bandh period of April 2-6. The letter's targeting of Nepal's tourism industry, coupled with increasing violence in many parts of Nepal and the call for an unprecedented five-day bandh, creates added concern for the security of Americans living in or traveling to Nepal for the upcoming period. At this time, we do not know if the threatened bandh will take place. Popular support for bandhs has been waning. As a result, Maoist insurgents have resorted to increasingly brutal acts of intimidation to enforce compliance. In the past, bandhs have resulted in the shutdown of businesses, schools, offices and vehicular traffic, mainlycausing inconvenience to the lives of Nepali residents and Western travelers. During bandhs, taxis and other forms of public transportation may not operate. Transit to and from the Tribhuvan International Airport may be adversely affected. Americans are strongly urged to maintain a low profile and to exercise special caution from April 2 -6. As always, Americans in Nepal should avoid nighttime travel on bandh days, avoid demonstrations and closely monitor the situation. In implementing a state of emergency in November 2001, the Government of Nepal increased its security presence to protect its citizens and foreign visitors from insurgent violence and intimidation. American citizens are advised to comply with the instructions of security personnel manning checkpoints and conducting patrols. The travel of official U.S. Embassy personnel outside the Kathmandu Valley continues to be significantly limited and subject to case-by-case approval. Private Americans are urged to contact the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu for the latest security information before undertaking travel to outlying areas, to travel by air when possible, and to avoid nighttime road travel outside the Kathmandu Valley. For further information on travel to Nepal, please consult the Department of State's latest Consular Information Sheet on Nepal 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 and obtain updated information on travel and security within Nepal. The U.S. Embassy is located at Pani Pokhari in Kathmandu, telephone (977) (1) 411179; fax (977) (1) 419963. U.S. citizens may also register by e-mail by accessing the Embassy's home page. This Public Announcement expires on June 20, 2002 ********************************************************************** 5. U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT UPDATES TRAVEL WARNING FOR PAKISTAN PAKISTAN Travel Warning United States Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs Washington, DC 20520 March 22, 2002 This Travel Warning is being issued to alert Americans that the Department has ordered the departure of all non-emergency personnel and family members of the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Pakistan. The possibility of threats to Americans continues, as demonstrated by the March 17 attack on worshippers at a church service in Islamabad underscoring the possibility that terrorists may seek civilian targets. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Pakistan dated March 18, 2002. The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer travel to Pakistan. Terrorist groups have demonstrated a willingness to hit civilian as well as official targets. An American journalist was kidnapped and brutally murdered in Karachi in early 2002. The Department has reports that American citizens generally have been targeted for kidnapping or other terrorist actions. The March 17 attack on worshippers at the Protestant International Church in Islamabad, where two Americans were killed and several more were injured, underscores the growing possibility that as security is increased at official U.S. facilities, terrorists and their sympathizers will seek less well-protected targets. These may include facilities where Americans are generally known to congregate or visit, such as clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools or outdoor recreation events. For full warning visit http://travel.state.gov/pakistan_warning.html ********************************************************************** 6. MAOIST LEADER INVITES TOURISTS TO VISIT NEPAL The following is the text of a letter faxed to media organizations by Senior Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai Dear Foreign Tourists, Welcome to the country on the roof of the world and warmest greetings from the materially poor but spiritually rich people of Nepal! As you very well know, a revolutionary People's War (PW) under the leadership of Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) is raging in Nepal against a fascist, monarchical state since February 1996. After getting a severe drubbing from the heroic People's Liberation Army(PLA) in every battle front and losing almost all of the countryside to the advancing revolutionary forces, the fast crumbling reactionary regime headed by hated Gyanendra Shah has imposed a brutal military dictatorship under the guise of the so-called state of emergency in the country since November 2001. This last desperate act of the tottering regime to save its skin has already backfired on itself and the mass rebellion in the form of the PW has intensified further in recent weeks and will reach a crescendo in the coming days. It is now obvious that two states, two armies, two laws and two cultures, one representing a handful of moribund parasitic classes and the other representing the vast majority of the democratic and progressive working people, are engaged in life and death struggle in the country. The United Revolutionary People's Council (URPC) is an embryonic Central People's Government Organising Committee in the form of a revolutionary united front headed by the CPN (Maoist). Basic positions We, therefore, deem it our duty to acquaint you with some of our basic positions and dispel some canards spread against us by the old reactionary state machinery. What are we basically fighting for? We are fighting for a genuine people's democracy in the country. As you know, in the current political dispensation in Nepal, the real state power vests in the feudal monarchy that effectively controls the royal army, and the parliament is a mere showcase to embellish the hereditary autocracy. Besides, the self-proclaimed current "king" Gyanendra and his son Paras are known criminal gangsters who have usurped the throne in a bloody coup d'etat against King Birendra last June 2001. Anybody familiar with the Nepalese history will agree that the archaic institution of feudal monarchy is the root cause and bulwark of socio-economic backwardness, abysmal poverty, glaring inequality and all-round underdevelopment plaguing the country, and its abolition is a minimum precondition for ushering in genuine democracy, both political and economic, in the country. Civilised peoples When the English could wage war against their monarchy in the 17th century, or the French in the 18th century, or other civilised peoples in the 19th and 20th century, why can't the Nepalese people do the same even in the 21st century? And are we against the tourism industry in general and foreign tourists in particular? Nothing could be farther from the truth. We are all for making maximum utilisation of the natural and cultural resources for the rapid economic development and wellbeing of the country and the people. And given the exquisite natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of the country, promotion of tourism obviously comes high in the priority list of the future economic development policy. As regards the false accusations of our xenophobic inclinations and preference for a closed political system, this is another example of sinister disinformation campaigns deliberately launched by the counter-revolutionary forces. By ideological persuasion we are for the ultimate withering away of all national and state boundaries and creation of a classless and stateless global community of people. Rather the fake votaries of "globalisation" of capital are mortally against the globalisation of labour as well and hence, in essence, against genuine all-round globalisation. Foreign tourists are, therefore, most welcome in the country and will be so in future as well. Lopsided However, we would like to draw your attention to the grossly lopsided nature of current tourism industry in the country and would advise you to take special precautionary measures while travelling during the period of war. Firstly, the tourism industry in Nepal is monopolised by the arch-reactionary Shah-Rana family [related to Nepal's monarchy] and their close courtiers (for example, all the five-star hotels and most of the star hotels and travel business are either owned or controlled by them), and most of the earnings from tourism is said to flow back to foreign countries. Therefore, it is quite imperative to smash this anti-people and anti-national monopolistic structure of the tourism industry and foreign tourists would be advised not to patronise such tourism services (e.g., hotels, airlines, buses etc.) particularly owned by the hated Shah-Rana families. Secondly, during wartime the unassuming traveller can be caught between the crossfire of the contending armies. Honoured guests The foreign tourists are, therefore, kindly advised not to venture into areas where active fighting is going on. They are most welcome into the revolutionary base areas, which are firmly under the control of the revolutionary forces. And a few words to our honoured guests from neighbouring India. Though the reactionary state media cries hoarse about our so-called anti-India posture, you need not be unduly perturbed. Despite the conspiracy of the ruling classes of both the countries to drive wedges between the people of Nepal and India, we are conscious of the common destiny of the two peoples and are for developing a close and cordial relations between the two. You are, therefore, most welcome to visit Nepal. And finally, in view of the 5-day long "Nepal bandh" (general shutdown) from 2 April to 6 April, 2002, and the subsequent surcharged atmosphere in the aftermath, the foreign tourists are well advised to skip the tour itinerary, if any, for the said period. We deeply regret the inconveniences likely to cause to you all. Wishing you all the best for a future visit to a democratic, progressive and prosperous people's republic of Nepal, Yours sincerely, Dr Baburam Bhattarai, Convenor, United Revolutionary People's Council, Nepal 15 March, 2002 ********************************************************************** 7. "FREE A CHILD" SEEKS TO END TRAFFICKING OF WOMEN It is estimated that each year between 7,000 and 10,000 Nepalese children between the ages of 8 and 16 are tricked, bought, or kidnapped from their families to work as sex slaves in brothels in India. Sixty to seventy percent of these become infected with HIV or develop AIDS. If she is lucky enough to escape alive and tries to return home, she will likely be shunned by her family and community. She has been sacrificed for profit. This is not part of Nepal that visitors often see. Yet it is a part that is real and a part that deserves the attention of those of us who love this part of the world. It is because they could not turn their back on this that founders Carolee Corey and Hilarie Kavanagh started the nonprofit charity Free A Child to help remedy the situation. They spent a year researching the problem and identified the indigenous organization they felt could do the best good. They then returned home to the United States to build a program that could raise money to invest in prevention programs to help save other children from this awful plight. With yet more money they would fund a "reintegration" center, to minister to the needs of girls rescued from the brothels in Mumbai. To participate or learn more about the work of Free A Child please call (303) 554-1841 or write Free A Child, PO Box 4203, Boulder, CO 80306-4203 USA. You can also find them on the web at www.freeachild.org or email freeachild@aol.com. ********************************************************************** 8. INSURGENCY CREATING INCREASED RISK FOR RHINO POPULATION From BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/south_asia/newsid_1860000/1860545.stm March 7, 2002: Conservation officials in Nepal have expressed fears that the country's rhinoceros population may be at increased risk because of the redeployment of soldiers from national park guard duty to the campaign against Maoist rebels. The rate of rhino slaughter by poachers has increased in the last year, with eleven killed since the state of emergency was declared at the end of November. Chitwan national park, on Nepal's southern border with India, has nearly 550 rhinos living in an area that saw the population drop below 100 just 40 years ago. Conservationists from the Nepal department of National Parks, the Worldwide Fund for Nature and the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation have all played a role in saving the rhinos in Nepal. Dr Tirtha Man Maskey, head of the national parks department and the very first warden of Royal Chitwan National Park when it was created in 1973, estimates the rhino population of Chitwan is going up by nearly 4% a year. Nepal has successfully moved 77 rhinos from Chitwan to other parks in the country since the so-called "translocation" program began in 1986. The number of army checkpoints, however, around Chitwan has been reduced by four-fifths. Poachers are attracted by the lucrative trade in rhino horn in markets in several parts of the world. ********************************************************************** 9. KALI GANDAKI HYDRO PROJECT COMES ONLINE IN NEPAL: EXPORT NEXT? By Surendra Phuyal, Nepalnews.com KATHMANDU, Feb 25: Now that the 144-megawatts Kali Gandaki A hydroelectric plant, Nepal's biggest hydel project, has finally been connected to the national power grid, officials here say that the country has become self-dependent on hydropower energy needs. And there are those who say it has also opened up avenues for power export. Or better still, it has heralded an era of power export, and so on. One of the three (48 megawatts-capacity) units of the 144-MW hydel project was connected to the country's integrated power system - stretching from Mechi in the east to Mahakali in the west - Sunday afternoon. The remaining two units are expected to come on line by May this year. Officials at Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the state-owned power utility, said that Nepal would be exporting power to India beginning the upcoming rainy season, when each of the three 48 units are expected begin full-fledged power generation. "The scenario will just change, it will be the other way round from now onwards," Prachar Man Singh Pradhan, the chief of planning division at the state-owned power utility told The Kathmandu Post Monday. "Now, it is our turn. We will be exporting somewhere around 60 to 70 megawatts of power to India." Under a power exchange arrangement between Nepal and India, the two countries could exchange power up to 50 megawatts. Then Nepal used to import 50 to 60 megawatts of electricity from India. But, with the signing of a new accord last year, the power exchange limit has gone up to 150 megawatts. According to Uttar Kumar Shrestha, a senior official at the NEA's finance division, the cost of a unit of electricity has been fixed at Nepali Rs 3.80 for this year. The two countries have been exchanging power through the 66 KV and 132 KV transmission lines that interconnect the eastern, central and western parts of Nepal with India's West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal states. However, the two countries need to upgrade the existing transmission lines so as to facilitate more exchange of power. Civil works are already underway to upgrade the transmission lines in the Nepali side, according to Pradhan. The NEA's over 700,000 consumers, industries and business enterprises among them, collectively consume some 400 megawatts of electricity and the demand is not likely to go up drastically in the foreseeable future, according to officials. What this means is that Nepal can sell its surplus power to the power-hungry Indian states, while encouraging local industries and consumers to consume more energy at a reasonable, if not cheaper, price. The power utility is expecting a surplus of at least 100 megawatts after all the three units of Kali Gandaki A come on line in May. Besides opening up vistas for power export to the southern neighbour, Kali Gandaki A is also expected to herald an era when power prices slowly begin to come down. Nepal's average electricity price of Rs 7.50 per unit is among the costliest in the world. Officials at the power utility also said that works are on to reduce the price of electricity and encourage the local consumers to consume more. "We are still working out a new seasonal price for the upcoming dry and wet season," Pradhan revealed. ********************************************************************** 10. CHILDREN BANNED FROM CLIMBING EVEREST, NEW CLIMBING FEES From news.com.au: http://news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,4011098%255E1702,00.html By Kedar Man Singh, Agence France-Presse KATHMANDU, March 24, 2002: Climbers under the age of 16 are to be banned from scaling Mount Everest, the world's tallest peak, in a move aimed at preventing over-keen adolescent alpinists from pushing themselves beyond their limits. "This restriction of age is being introduced by the (Nepal) ministry of tourism on humanitarian grounds," said head of the mountaineering division in the ministry of tourism and culture, Ganesh Raj Karki. The ban, which also applies to other mountains in Nepal, will come into effect immediately. Last May a 15-year-old Nepalese schoolboy Temba Tsheri became the youngest person ever to climb the 8848 metre mountain, an achievement now likely to remain unchallenged. In 2000, when he was 14 he got to within 22 metres of the summit, but had to turn back suffering from severe frostbite. He subsequently had five fingers amputated. "The decision to ban climbers aged under 16 to climb Mount Everest or any other peaks was made on humanitarian grounds as young adolescent boys may take high risks for sentimental or ego purposes without realising the consequences," Karki said. Very few under-16s have ever attempted to climb Everest or other mountains in Nepal, but authorities were worried that young climbers would try to beat Tsheri's record. The tourism ministry has also decided to make changes in charges for those trying to climb Everest, which will take effect during the current climbing season which lasts from March until May. Previously a team composed of one to seven Everest climbers had to pay $US70,000 to the government, Karki said. "But under the new regulation a solo climber on Everest will need to pay only $25,000," he said. A two-member team will be charged $40,000 ($76,118) three climbers $48,000, four climbers $56,000, five climbers $60,000, six climbers $66,000 and seven climbers $70,000. "These changes in royalty charges are expected to encourage more enthusiastic climbers to come to Everest," he said. But he said the rule which prevents anyone climbing a mountain without the necessary permission from the authorities would be more strictly enforced. "If anybody climbs the peaks without permission to scale it, he will be banned from entering Nepal for 10 years, in addition to incurring monetary fines," Karki said. He also said that under new regulations climbers would be given an extra 10 to 15 days in each of the four climbing seasons. The decision was taken in view of the difficult terrain which had to be crossed by teams climbing mountains in the northeastern and northwestern regions, Karki said. Everest has so far been scaled by 1318 people from 58 countries from both the Nepal and Tibet routes, including 456 from Nepal, 154 from the US, 84 from Japan, 59 from Russia, 53 from the United Kingdom, 49 each from India and China, 44 from Spain and 39 from France. More than 167 people have died on its slopes. ********************************************************************** HIMALAYAN EXPLORERS CONNECTION UPDATES ********************************************************************** 11. SPRING 2002 HIMALAYAN NEWS IN THE MAIL HEC members should look for the latest issue of Himalayan News, the hardcopy newsletter of the Himalayan Explorers Connection. The spring issue features articles on the impact of the downturn in tourism in Nepal, the best Nepali festivals, and trekking in Makalu. Remember that only HEC members receive the hardcopy newsletter. Not a member and interested in receiving a sample issue? Please contact us at info@mountainexplorers.org ********************************************************************** 12. PORTER ASSISTANCE PROJECT: COURIERS NEEDED Although the spring trekking season may be slower than normal, the HEC would like to be fully prepared by having a full inventory of jackets, pants, hats, gloves, sunglasses, and other equipment for our Porter Assistance Project (porter clothing bank). Heading to Nepal this spring and live in Denver/Boulder or Portland, OR? Please contact us if you can take an extra duffel bag. Please e-mail ken@mountainexplorers.org ********************************************************************** 13. 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 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 fall 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. Jane Sabin-Davis, jsd@ucinet.com ********************************************************************** 14. HEC WEB MASTER NEEDED The HEC is looking for assistance updating our Web page. We are looking for someone with Web publishing experience who is willing to donate their time for a hat, t-shirt, and/or our sincere appreciation! Please send us links with previous Web pages that you have created. Contact info@mountainexplorers.org ********************************************************************** MEMBER POSTINGS ********************************************************************** 15. LOOKING FOR TREKKING PARTNERS FOR APRIL 2002 I am looking for trekking partners to join me in the Himalaya for about 3 weeks in the last week of April 2002. My preference would be a camping trip to Annapurna or Everest. I could even could venture into less beaten trails. My goal is to have: more interaction with Nepalis & their culture, above average adventures, and a good team. Samy Aly, aly_sami@hotmail.com ********************************************************************** CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING SECTION (UPDATED MARCH 2002) ********************************************************************** ARUN TREKS & EXPEDITIONS. Personal Service. Good Value. Great Times. Trekking, Climbing, Mountaineering, Horseback & Overland Touring. Asia, Africa, S.America, Europe. Customized itineraries and group discounts available. Please contact us for further information. Phone: 888-495-8735 or 512-407-8314 info@aruntreks.com http://www.aruntreks.com 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. Contact Suman Pandey, PO Box 4902, Kathmandu, Nepal Fax: 977-1-252 115 adventur@mos.com.np Join the Himalayan Explorers Connection in the Himalayas! In October 2002 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 Absolute Adventure Himalaya Climbing Expeditions with Daniel Mazur. Announcing new lowered prices due to recent events. These are full service expeditions, including Sherpas and all costs inside Nepal: Amadablam, Kangchenjunga, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri, Pumori, Mustagh-Ata, Cho-Oyu, Everest. Everything for the novice, intermediate and expert since 1987. 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 Travel to Nepal and Vietnam with ROOM TO READ. Room to Read's mission is to provide under-privileged children in Nepal and Vietnam with an opportunity to gain the lifelong gift of education. We have built schools, established libraries, and granted scholarships. Join our team in the quest for education for all children! Phone: 415-420-7756 john@roomtoread.org www.roomtoread.org Discover the Himalayas with local expert Pemba Sherpa at Sherpa Ascent International. Cho Oyo expedition September 2002, two spot left. Ama Dablam and Island peak climb in October 2002. 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 ********************************************************************** TRAVEL 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. ********************************************************************** 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-PRTD now accepting applications for Fall 2002 expedition (Sep 7 - Dec 10, 2002). This study/volunteer work program focuses on tourism development in a remote valley of Nepal; includes full Everest trek, optional excursion to India. $1800 plus personal expense. Open to students and non-students. www.bridges-prtd.com or e-mail seth@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 ********************************************************************** 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. ********************************************************************** 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. 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 |
