Dear Friends,
Namaste and warm greetings from Nepal.
I am just back home in Nepal after traveling to Prague with my son Dawa Steven to attend the International Alpinism Festival in Prague (Czech Republic).
It has been my great honour to participate each year under the invitation of the organizers. The event attracts more than three thousand climbers, mountaineers and mountain lovers over the four days that the event is organized. In the past, prominent personalities such as Reinhold Messner, Peter Habeler, Tomaz Humar, Kriztof Wieliecki, Kurt Diemberger, Hans Kammelander, Alex Huber, Edurne Pasaban and many others have presented at this festival. At the festival Dawa Steven gave a presentation on his experiences while walking across Nepal on the Great Himalaya Trail with Apa Sherpa earlier this year.
The festival is held each year in the third week of November, and this event is worth visiting if you find yourself in the area during this time of year. It is a very important venue where climbers and adventurers get together to share their experiences, ideas and to new projects.
UIAA General Assembly held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands:
The 45th UIAA – International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation General Assembly was held in Amsterdam, the capital of Netherlands on 13th October 2012, an event hosted by the Royal Dutch Mountaineering and Climbing Club (NKBV).
More than 100 members from 49 federations attended the general assembly 2012. As we do each year, Nepal Mountaineering Association President, officials and I attended the UIAA General Assembly.
Frits Vrijlandt elected new president of UIAA:
Frits Vrijlandt was elected new president of the UIAA for a four-year term after positioning himself as the candidate of change. Newly elected Management Committee members are Lucia Foppoli (Italy), Tadao Kanzaki (Japan), David Munõz (Chile), Joan Garrigos i Toro (Spain), Col. H.S. Chauhan (India), Nejat Akinci (Turkey), Anne Arran (United Kingdom), Helène Denis (France) and Thomas Kaehr (Switzerland).
The Management Committee is responsible for among other things implementing the policy directives and decisions of the General Assembly, preparing the annual accounts and making recommendations for long-term strategies for the UIAA.
Ang Tshering Sherpa Elected as Honorary Member of the UIAA
I am deeply honored to inform you that I have been elected to the post of Honorary Member of the UIAA during the general assembly held in Amsterdam. I am very humbled to be elected as one of the Honorary Members alongside towering personalities such as Sir Edmund Hillary, Walter Bonatti, Robert Leopold, William Putnam, Jordi Pons-Sangines, Pit Schubert and Kazuo Saito. You can read more about the honorary members.
Ang Tshering Sherpa of Nepal moments after being elected Honorary Member of the UIAA (Photo: UIAA)
My unreserved gratitude goes to all who supported my nomination and election. Special thanks go to Mr. Zimba Zangbu Sherpa, President of Nepal Mountaineering Association, for proposing me to the post. I would also like to thank all the UIAA federation members for electing me to this prestigious post. Thanks to everybody who has recognized and supported my efforts over the years.
UAAA General Assembly held in Mokpo City, South Korea:
The UAAA – Asian Mountaineering and Climbing Federation General Assembly was held in Mokpo City, South Korea on 19th – 20th October 2012, an event hosted by the Korean Alpine Federation (KAF). More than 40 members from 14 federations attended the general assembly 2012.
One of the resolutions from UAAA GA, is to organize a joint UAAA expeditions to various peaks, including Mt. Lenin in 2013, and a new unnamed peak in Nepal in 2014, after which it will be requested to the Nepal Government to name it as “UAAA Peak.” All UAAA member federations are invited to participate in these expeditions.
Proposal for Rapid Response Rescue Cell:
I proposed at the UAAA General Assembly and at Mountain Protection Commision of the UIAA that a High Altitude Rapid Response Rescue Cell should be set up in Nepal. This Rescue cell can only be set up with technical and financial support from UIAA and UAAA member federations. Due to the ever increasing attraction of climbing in the Himalaya and the increasing danger in the mountains due to climate change and global warming, I feel that it is urgently necessary that such a rescue cell is created, with highly trained, experienced and well equipped local crew from medical, aviation and mountaineering backgrounds.
World Climbing Championship Competition was held in Mokpo City, South Korea:
Coinciding the UAAA General Assembly, World Climbing Championship Competition 2012 was held in Mokpo City, South Korea from 19th – 21st October 2012 where 37 nations with 145 participants participated. Nepal Mountaineering Association delegates, including myself, attended the Championship. NMA also assigned Mr. Prem Gurung, as technical observer to be acquainted with International Federation of Sports Climbing (IFSC) systems, procedures, rules and regulation regarding organizing competitions. In the future, NMA plans to use this knowledge to organize international standard climbing competitions in Nepal.
39th NMA day celebration and Felicitation:
The 39th NMA day was celebrated in the NMA secretariat in the presence of honourable Minister Posta Bahadur Bogati of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTA) as chief guest. Former MoCTA State Minister Mrs. Yangkila Sherpa and Secretary for MoCTA Mr. Yagya Prasad Gautam were also present in the program as special guest. In recognition of my election to the post of Honorary Member of the UIAA, Minister Bogati presented me a letter of felicitation on behalf of NMA.
Ang Tshering Sherpa with Tourism Minister and other dignitaries after felicitation
Keep in Touch
Also if you have any important news that happens in the Himalaya, please do let me know so I can share this with other relevant stakeholders. I have included below information about our recently completed expeditions and treks. For those of you who are planning new expeditions and treks in 2013, I have also added information and dates for upcoming treks and expeditions that Asian Trekking is organizing. Do let me know if Asian Trekking can help you organize your trip. Finally, it is my great pleasure to keep you all informed on the News in the Himalayas. I hope you have found this information interesting and useful.
Please do get in touch with me if you need more information. You can also find us now on Facebook, where my team and I will be updating information more regularly and as it happens. Please do go to our website (http://www.facebook.com/AsianTrekking) and “Like” us. We would love to hear your comments and input.
Best Regards,
Ang Tshering Sherpa
(Chairman – Asian Trekking)
Above and Beyond Imja Tse (Island Peak) Trek and Climb:
Asian Trekking is proud have organized trekking and climbing trip for more than 34 cancer survivors from the USA, who were part of the Above and Beyond Expedition. Eleven members of the team along with our climbing Sherpas made it to the summit of Imja Tse (Island Peak), while other members trekked to Chhukung and Everest Base Camp. My congratulations to them for their immense courage and inspirational efforts.
Asian Trekking’s Autumn Season 2012 Summary:
It is now almost the end of Autumn Climbing Season with only a few teams still waiting to summit. Many of our teams were very successful in reaching the summits of respected peaks. For details on the autumn expeditions please click the attached link to the Asian Trekking blogs listed below.
PMA Mt. Amadablam Expedition Autumn 2012:
Austrian Mt. Amadablam Expedition Autumn 2012
Swiss Mt.Himlung Expedition Autumn 2012:
American Mt. Himlung Expedition Autumn 2012:
Asian Trekking’s Mountaineering Expeditions, Peak Climbing and Trekking program for 2013:
In Nepal
1. Eco Everest Expedition 3 April – 30 May 2013
https://www.asian-trekking.com/destinations/nepal/mountaineering-expedition/eco-everest-expedition.html
Once again Asian Trekking will be organizing the acclaimed Eco Everest expedition under the leadership of Dawa Steven Sherpa Managing Director of Asian Trekking and Two Times Mt. Everest Summiteer, Mr. Pertemba Sherpa World Renowned climber as Base Camp Manager and Nanga Dorje Sherpa as the Climbing Sirdar. Each year since 2008, the Eco Everest Expeditions have been cleaning the slopes of Mt. Everest, while at the same organizing expeditions to the summit for our clients. Till Date, the expedition has collected more than 14,000 Kgs of old garbage on Mt. Everest.
2. International Mt. Lhotse Expedition 03 April – 28 May 2013
Mt. Lhotse is the fourth highest mountain in the world. Each year, Asian Trekking organizes the International Mt. Lhotse Expedition on the classic Couloir route. As a majority of the climbing route is the same as the normal route of Mt. Everest, our clients share camps with the Eco Everest Expedition and receive the same high level of service and support from our Team. The route offers a breath taking view of the conical peak of Mt. Everest and the summit opens up a panorama including Mt. Everest, Mt. Cho Oyu, Mt. Makalu and Mt. Kanchenjunga amongst many other lower peaks. Also due to its relatively lesser cost, in the past many of our clients have climbed Mt. Lhotse as a way of acquainting themselves with the requirements to scale Mt. Everest in the future.
3. Astrek Mt. Makalu Exedition 07 April – 03 June and 01 September – 28 October 2013
https://www.asian-trekking.com/destinations/nepal/mountaineering-expedition/international-mt-makalu-expedition.html
I believe that it is very important to make the more remote mountains more accessible to climbers. Our expeditions on peaks like Mt. Makalu, the fifth highest mountain in the world, not only captures the imagination of the next generation of climbers, but also plays a very important role for the local people by providing jobs and income opportunities. Our expedition is organized on the Normal North Col route, which was first climbed by the french mountaineers in 1955.
4. Astrek Mt. Manaslu Expedition 09 April – 27 May and 02 September – 20 October 2013
https://www.asian-trekking.com/destinations/nepal/mountaineering-expedition/international-mt-manaslu-expedition.html
Manaslu is the 8th highest peak in the world and is gaining increasing popularity over the last 5 years. This is because the approach trek is now logistically easier to manage and the peak is technically easy to climb. Asian Trekking organises the Astrek Manaslu Expedition on the normal route which was first climbed by Japanese mountaineers in 1956.
5. Astrek Mt. Ama Dablam Expedition : 15 April -14 May/ 25 April – 24 May/ 01 May – 30 May / 03 October – 01 November/ 15 October – 13 November/ 25 October – 23 November 2013
https://www.asian-trekking.com/destinations/nepal/mountaineering-expedition/international-mt-ama-dablam-expedition.htmll
Considered one of the most beautiful mountains in the world, Ama Dablam is a prominent icon of the Himalayas. It sits in the center of the Khumbu Valley and offers immense views of Mt Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Cho Oyu and Mt. Nuptse. Asian Trekking organises multiple expeditions to Mt. Amadablam throughout the spring and autumn climbing season.
In Tibet
1. International Mt. Everest Expedition from the North Side 07 April – 03 June 2013:
Asian trekking has been organizing expeditions in Tibet since 1987. Each year we have been operating expedition on the North Side of Mt. Everest and this expedition is open for qualified mountaineers to join. We will be climbing on the Northeast Ridge route (Normal Route) which was first climbed Chinese mountaineers in 1960
2. International Mt. Cho-Oyu Expedition 10 April – 21 May and 01 September – 12 October
https://www.asian-trekking.com/destinations/tibet/mountaineering-expedition/international-joining-mt-cho-oyu-expedition-lhasa-zangmu.html
Cho Oyu is the 6th highest mountain in the world and possibly the most popular 8000m peak for climbers. We are climbing on the normal which was first climbed by Austrian and Sherpa Climbers in 1954. The route is straight forward, non technical and has almost no avalanche risk with plenty of space in each camp for numerous tents. The summit is wide plateau featuring views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Shishpagma and Mt. Nuptse.
3. International Mt. Shishapangma Expedition 10 April – 21 May and 01 September – 12 October
https://www.asian-trekking.com/destinations/tibet/mountaineering-expedition/international-mtshisapangma-expeditionlhasazangmu.html
Shisha Pagma is the lowest of the fourteen 8000m peaks. In 1964 Chinese climbers reached the top making it also the last of all the 8000m peaks to be scaled. Asian Trekking organises the expedition along the normal route every climbing season. On request we are also able to organise an expedition from the technical South Face route.
Treks:
60th Anniversary of First Ascent of Mt. Everest Celebration Trek – 2013:
Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu (15 Days): 18 May to 01 June, 2013 To commemorate the the 60th anniversary of the first Ascent of Mt. Everest in 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, Asian Trekking is organsing the Mt. Everest Base Camp Diamond Jubilee trek. the highlight trek is a celebration program on 29th May organsied by the Sherpa communities in Khumjung School, which was the first school built Sir Edmund Hillary’s own hands. The program is sponsored by Asian Trekking.
Great Himalayan Trail – Fixed Departure Trek – 2013
Earlier this year, Apa Sherpa and my son Dawa Steven Sherpa walked the entire length of Nepal’s Great Himalaya Trail in 99 days, covering 1555 Km. This trek takes the trekker along the entire length of the Nepal Himalaya where they can meet a multitude of peoples and cultures as well as see nine of the fourteen 8000m mountains, including of course Mt. Everest.
The trek features many impressive highlights like the ancient juniper forests in the Kanchenjunga region in the eastern frontier with Sikkim, the high altitude Tashi Lapsa pass connecting the Everest and Rolwaling regions, the multicultural villages in central Nepal, the traditional Gurung villages at the base of the Annapurna range, the rugged and unpopulated expanses of the Dhorpatan hunting reserve and the shimmering torquoise Phoksundo lake in the barren mountains of Dolpo just to name a few.
Asian Trekking provided the logistical support for their epic trek. Upon their return they created an itinerary that would be manageable for all trekkers. Broken up into sections of 2 to 3 weeks, the Great Himalaya trail can be completed in multiple visits. https://www.asian-trekking.com/component/tour/trip/235-great-himalayan-trail—2013.html
Climbing Peaks:
Nepal has 33 mountains ranging from 5587m to 6654m and of various difficulties, classified as trekking peaks. Asian Trekking organizes fixed expeditions to these peaks for aspiring mountaineers. To climb these peaks requires no more than three weeks at most but offers climbers the same experiences as the big mountains. Each peak has its own unique features and breathtaking views. We provide trained and experienced Sherpa guides and is achievable for climbers of all abilities
Island Peak (6160m):
Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu (16 Days) – Spring 2013:
Departure Date: 15 March-30 March / 04 April-19 April / 22 April-07 May / 19 April-04 May / 05 May – 20 May
Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu (16 Days) – Autumn 2013:
Departure Date: 16 September-01 October / 05 October-20 October / 22 October-06 November 08 November-23 November.
Lobuche East Peak (6119m):
Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu (16 Days) – Spring 2013:
Departure Date: 18 March-02 April / 05 April-20 April / 24 April-09 May / 12 May-27 May
Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu (16 Days) – Autumn 2013:
Departure Date: 20 September-05 October / 07 October-22 October / 24 October-08 November 10 November-25 November
Kyazo Ri (6186m):
Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu (14 Days) – Spring 2013:
Departure Date: 20 March-02 April / 04 April-17 April / 20 April-03 May / 06 May-19 May
Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu (14 Days) – Autumn 2013:
Departure Date: 15 September-28 September / 02 October-15 October / 18 October-31 October / 03 November-16 November.
Pisang Peak (6091m):
Kathmandu-Besisahar-Bulbulle & Fly out Jomsom-Pokhara-Kathmandu (16 Days) – Spring 2013:
Departure Date: 15 March-30 March / 02 April – 17 April / 06 April-21 April / 24 April-09 May / 12 May-27 May
Kathmandu-Besisahar-Bulbulle & Fly out Jomsom-Pokhara-Kathmandu (16 Days) – Autumn 2013:
Departure Date: 12 September-27 September / 28 September-13 October / 16 October-31 October 04 November-19 November
Other Trek Dates:
Everest Base Camp Trek:
Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu (13 Days) – Spring 2013:
Departure Date: 05 March-17 March / 20 March-01 April / 04 April-16 April / 19 April-01 May / 05 May – 17 May
Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu (13 Days) – Autumn 2013:
Departure Date: 08 September-20 September / 25 September-07 October / 10 October-22 October 25 October-06 November / 09 November-21 November.
Everest – Kala Pattar Trek:
Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu (12 Days) – Spring 2013:
Departure Date: 08 March-19 March / 22 March-02 April / 06 April-17 April / 20 April-01 May / 04 May – 15 May
Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu (12 Days) – Autumn 2013:
Departure Date:11 September-22 September / 26 September-07 October / 11 October-22 October 26 October-06 November / 10 November-21 November.
Gokyo Ri – Chola Pass Trek:
Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu (15 Days) – Spring 2013:
Departure Date: 15 March-29 March / 02 April-16 April / 18 April-02 May / 04 May-18 May
Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu (15 Days) – Autumn 2013:
Departure Date: 14 September-28 September / 01 October-15 October / 18 October-01 November 04 November-18 November
Everest – Gokyo Lake Trek:
Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu (12 Days) – Spring 2013:
Departure Date: 06 March-17 March / 21 March-01 April / 05 April-16 April / 18 April-29 April / 03 May – 14 May
Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu (12 Days) – Autumn 2013:
Departure Date: 16 September-27 September / 29 September-10 October / 13 October-24 October 28 October-08 November / 13 November-24 November.
Everest – Heli Trek (10 Days)
Spring 2013
Schedule Flight: Kathmandu-Lukla
Schedule Flight: Lukla-Kathmandu
Departure Date:25 March-03 April / 08 April-17 April / 20 April-29 April / 02 May-11 May / 15 May – 24 May
Autumn 2013
Schedule Flight: Kathmandu-Lukla
Charter Helicopter Flight: Lubuche-Lukla
Schedule Flight: Lukla-Kathmandu
Departure Date:02 October-11 October / 15 October-24 October / 28 October-06 November
Everest – Heli Trek (09 Days)
Spring 2013
Schedule Flight: Kathmandu-Lukla
Charter Helicopter Flight: Lubuche-Kathmandu
Departure Date:20 March-28 March / 04 April-12 April / 15 April-23 April / 26 April-04 May / 08 May – 16 May
Autumn 2013
Schedule Flight: Kathmandu-Lukla
Charter Helicopter Flight: Lubuche-Kathmandu
Departure Date: 05 October-13 October / 20 October-28 October / 02 November-10 November
Annapurna Sanctuary Trek:
Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu (13 Days) – Spring 2013:
Departure Date:10 March-22 March / 25 March-06 April / 12 April-24 April / 26 April-08 May / 16 May – 28 May
Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu (13 Days) – Autumn 2013:
Departure Date:14 September-26 September / 29 September-11 October / 14 October-26 October 29 October-10 November / 13 November-25 November.
Around Annapurna Trek:
Kathmandu-Besisahar-Bulbulle & Nayapul-Pokhara-Kathmandu (17 Days) – Spring 2013:
Departure Date:15 March-31 March / 02 April-18 April / 20 April-06 May / 08 May-24 May
Kathmandu-Besisahar-Bulbulle & Nayapul-Pokhara-Kathmandu (17 Days) – Autumn 2013:
Departure Date:10 September-26 September / 28 September-14 October / 15 October-31 October 02 November -18 November
Around Annapurna Trek – Walk in Bulbulle:
Kathmandu-Besisahar-Bulbulle & Fly out Jomsom-Pokhara-Kathmandu (13 Days) – Spring 2013:
Departure Date:08 March-20 March / 23 March-04 April / 06 April-18 April / 21 April-03 May / 05 May-17 May
Kathmandu-Besisahar-Bulbulle & Fly out Jomsom-Pokhara-Kathmandu (13 Days) – Autumn 2013:
Departure Date:12 September-24 September / 26 September-08 October / 10 October-22 October 24 October -05 November
Langtang-Gosaikunda-Helambu Trek:
Kathmandu-Syabrubesi & Melamchi Bazar-Kathmandu (14 Days) – Spring 2013:
Departure Date:14 March-27 March / 29 March-11 April / 14 April-27 April / 29 April-12 May / 15 May – 28 May
Kathmandu-Syabrubesi & Melamchi Bazar-Kathmandu (14 Days) – Autumn 2013:
Departure Date: 10 September-23 September / 25 September-08 October / 10 October-23 October 25 October-07 November / 09 November-22 November.
Bhairab Kunda Trek:
Kathmandu-Jalbire & Bhote Khosi-Kathmandu (10 Days) – Spring 2013:
Departure Date: 20 March-29 March / 01 April-10 April / 12 April-21 April / 03 May-12 May / 17 May – 26 May
Kathmandu-Jalbire & Bhote Khosi-Kathmandu (10 Days) – Autumn 2013:
Departure Date: 14 September-23 September / 28 September-07 October / 09 October-18 October 20 October-29 October / 01 November-10 November.
Tingsang La – Kalinchok Trek:
Kathmandu-Barabise & Kharidunga-Kathmandu (06 Days) – Spring 2013:
Departure Date: 18 March-23 March / 02 April-07 April / 15 April-20 April / 26 April-01 May / 10 May – 15 May
Kathmandu-Barabise & Kharidunga-Kathmandu (06 Days) – Autumn 2013:
Departure Date: 20 September-25 September / 02 October-07 October / 10 October-15 October 20 October-25 October / 03 November-08 November.
