Thanks Jerry. Always good to receive such comments from like minded people.
Actually what I wrote just scratches the surface of what Gwen's doing in Nepal. She's got a number of projects going in Kathmandu as well. As I said in one of the comment responses above, it's so much better than handing over big bucks to one of these "Big Charity" organisations, who pay their staff huge salaries and give hardly anything to the folk they say they're there to help. Maybe I'm being a bit harsh here but it's a comment that I've heard expressed many times. In any event, Gwen makes sure that at least a few people get what they so desperately need.
Good read. I enjoyed it. Brough back memories of past trips for me. I was scaning your Thamo images to see if I recognised anyone. My sherpa from years gone by was Pasang Ningma and was based in Thamo. I stayed there with his family in 1986 for a brief period. The pass was closed due to snow on that trip. Thanks again. Cheers William
Thanks William. I've read your contributions from the same area too and have enjoyed reading all of them.
From what my wife tells me the school in Thamo is in a bit of a slump these days. A lot of kids now go to board at the school in Kumchung and only come home on weekend.
It's unlikely you'd recognise anyone from the pictures I included in the TR. All the adults were teachers at the school and I believe they all come out from Kathmandu (and are not Sherpa). My wife stayed in the "Everest View" lodge and has become very friendly with Kanche, the owner. Perhaps you know her? She's in her 40's and I have a picture I could send you if you like.
I must say that I didn't expect the reaction I received to this report, particularly to Gwen's contribution. To us it's a foregone conclusion that we're going to help whenever and wherever we can on our travels. It's also the best way to really get something other than a purely tourist view from the experience. However, so many people wrote to me asking for more details on the philanthropic aspect of our trip that I thought it might be worthwhile writing an article on the why's, wherefore's etc of lending a helping hand in Nepal directly rather than through "Big Charity". This'll be a while coming but watch for it nevertheless; there might be pictures in there of folk you know.
I stumbled across your name on the Lobuche East page and decided to read your trip report. Looks like a fantastic trip. I am contemplating going to Nepal in the fall with a group that is planning to build a school. I need to get more details from them, but it seems like a fantastic opportunity (both to help and to travel). Any recommendations for trekking routes and peaks plus advice on charity work and things to bring would be hugely appreciated. Cameron
Hi Cameron. Glad you found that TR. If you "stumbled" across that you may have missed some of my Island pages as well. Go to my main page (search "vancouver islander" under "people") for the Hinde, Elkhorn, Vic Peak, Albert Edward and many other Island classics.
DO go to Nepal if you get the chance. If you're going to the Khumbu, DON'T go up the Imja Kola to Everest BC and Kalar Patar. Crowds, crowds and more crowds. Instead, approach the valley via Gokyo and cross the Cho La or via Thame and cross the Renjo and Cho Las (the way we went).
If you want to summit something, Lobuche E or Island Peak (up the Chukung valley from Dingboche) are worthwhile objectives. Both require a climbing permit and are usually tackled with the help of a trekking company who will include a couple of climbing sherpas in the party to install fixed ropes etc.
If you want to be free of this kind of thing, what about Taweche Towers (NOT Taweche itself of course) - see http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/342754/taweche-towers.html
If you do decide to climb something, consider putting up with the crowds and going there directly. My big mistake on Lobuche was approaching it over the two big passes and knackering myself before we even got there.
My wife is the expert on good works in the area - I'll PM her email address to you.
vancouver islander - Dec 8, 2006 5:42 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: NiceThanks Jerry. Always good to receive such comments from like minded people.
Actually what I wrote just scratches the surface of what Gwen's doing in Nepal. She's got a number of projects going in Kathmandu as well. As I said in one of the comment responses above, it's so much better than handing over big bucks to one of these "Big Charity" organisations, who pay their staff huge salaries and give hardly anything to the folk they say they're there to help. Maybe I'm being a bit harsh here but it's a comment that I've heard expressed many times. In any event, Gwen makes sure that at least a few people get what they so desperately need.
Cheers,
Martin
William Marler - Dec 9, 2006 4:39 pm - Voted 10/10
Very enjoyableGood read. I enjoyed it. Brough back memories of past trips for me. I was scaning your Thamo images to see if I recognised anyone. My sherpa from years gone by was Pasang Ningma and was based in Thamo. I stayed there with his family in 1986 for a brief period. The pass was closed due to snow on that trip. Thanks again. Cheers William
vancouver islander - Dec 11, 2006 8:11 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Very enjoyableThanks William. I've read your contributions from the same area too and have enjoyed reading all of them.
From what my wife tells me the school in Thamo is in a bit of a slump these days. A lot of kids now go to board at the school in Kumchung and only come home on weekend.
It's unlikely you'd recognise anyone from the pictures I included in the TR. All the adults were teachers at the school and I believe they all come out from Kathmandu (and are not Sherpa). My wife stayed in the "Everest View" lodge and has become very friendly with Kanche, the owner. Perhaps you know her? She's in her 40's and I have a picture I could send you if you like.
I must say that I didn't expect the reaction I received to this report, particularly to Gwen's contribution. To us it's a foregone conclusion that we're going to help whenever and wherever we can on our travels. It's also the best way to really get something other than a purely tourist view from the experience. However, so many people wrote to me asking for more details on the philanthropic aspect of our trip that I thought it might be worthwhile writing an article on the why's, wherefore's etc of lending a helping hand in Nepal directly rather than through "Big Charity". This'll be a while coming but watch for it nevertheless; there might be pictures in there of folk you know.
All the best,
Martin
JeremyHorn - Dec 28, 2006 4:56 pm - Voted 9/10
ThanksI enjoyed your TR tremendously; very informative.
vancouver islander - Dec 28, 2006 6:09 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: ThanksYou're very welcome.
camerona91 - Feb 4, 2008 3:46 pm - Hasn't voted
Great!I stumbled across your name on the Lobuche East page and decided to read your trip report. Looks like a fantastic trip. I am contemplating going to Nepal in the fall with a group that is planning to build a school. I need to get more details from them, but it seems like a fantastic opportunity (both to help and to travel). Any recommendations for trekking routes and peaks plus advice on charity work and things to bring would be hugely appreciated. Cameron
vancouver islander - Feb 4, 2008 4:49 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Great!Hi Cameron. Glad you found that TR. If you "stumbled" across that you may have missed some of my Island pages as well. Go to my main page (search "vancouver islander" under "people") for the Hinde, Elkhorn, Vic Peak, Albert Edward and many other Island classics.
DO go to Nepal if you get the chance. If you're going to the Khumbu, DON'T go up the Imja Kola to Everest BC and Kalar Patar. Crowds, crowds and more crowds. Instead, approach the valley via Gokyo and cross the Cho La or via Thame and cross the Renjo and Cho Las (the way we went).
If you want to summit something, Lobuche E or Island Peak (up the Chukung valley from Dingboche) are worthwhile objectives. Both require a climbing permit and are usually tackled with the help of a trekking company who will include a couple of climbing sherpas in the party to install fixed ropes etc.
If you want to be free of this kind of thing, what about Taweche Towers (NOT Taweche itself of course) - see http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/342754/taweche-towers.html
If you do decide to climb something, consider putting up with the crowds and going there directly. My big mistake on Lobuche was approaching it over the two big passes and knackering myself before we even got there.
My wife is the expert on good works in the area - I'll PM her email address to you.