I had the opportunity to fulfill a long-standing dream of mine to Mt. Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal on a wilderness medicine education trip

This spring I had the opportunity to fulfill a long-standing dream of mine to trek in Nepal on a wilderness medicine education trip that included some time in Kathmandu and a trek to Everest Base Camp at 17,590 ft., and Kala Patthar, a trekking peak at 18,500 ft. By the end of the trip I had experienced the chaotic and exotic city of Kathmandu, seen stunning peaks such as Mount Everest and Ama Dablam, pushed myself to the second highest point I had ever been at, and made new friends on the trail. It was an amazing journey through some of the most beautiful mountains in the world. I left the US on April 23 and after approximately 31 hours on planes and in airports (Phoenix-LA-Seoul-Kathmandu), I arrived at Kathmandu in the early afternoon, met by Jiban Ghimire, owner/manager of Sherpa Shangri-La Treks & Expeditions http://www.shangrilatrek.com a Nepalese guiding company. Jiban is fluent in English and was immediately friendly and effusive as he explained about Kathmandu while we (the several who had just arrived) were driven to our hotel, The Yak & Yeti. I can highly recommend the Yak & Yeti as a clean, quiet oasis amid the constant din of Kathmandu. The hotel is located just south of the Royal Palace, and near enough to the old town and Thamel regions to be a quick walk. We stayed in the superior rooms, a step below the suites and deluxe rooms. The room wasn’t too cramped, was clean and comfortable. The staff are extremely friendly and helpful, the facilities very nice and clean, and the breakfast buffet excellent and filling, with everything from fruits to cereal to regional fare and omelets made to order. All our other meals were taken out and I’ll comment on some of the restaurants later. Also, a quick plug for Sherpa Shangri-La and Jiban Ghimire now and a more in-depth evaluation as I post more. Jiban and everyone associated with Sherpa Shangri-La were fantastic throughout the whole trip, providing for our comfort and safety during the trip with expertise and a friendliness that goes beyond a traditional guiding service. Should, or rather when, I return to Nepal I will be using Sherpa Shangri-La again.

By David Boswell

100% seccessful expedition to Mt. Everest & Lhotse of Alpine Ascents International Team- Spring 2011

Another successful Mt. Everest expedition- spring 2011























On May 14th at 4:45 pm the following two Sherpa of the Alpine Ascents International 2011 Expedition reached the Summit of Lhotse

1. Tshering Dorjee Sherpa 39 Juving 1 Karikhola
2. Passang Tsheri Sherpa 36 Namche 5 Thamo

And, On May 15th at 5:50 am the following Member of the Alpine Ascents
International 2011 Expedition reached the Summit Lhotse
1. James Michael Horst 33 Guide Bainbridge Island, WA,USA

At 4:22 am on May 20th 2011, Garrett Madison,Tom Halliday and Kami Rita Sherpa made the summit of Lhotse!! Tom and Garrett were both on the summit of Everest at 8am May 19th. This makes Tom Halliday the first person to be successfully guided to the summits of both Everest and Lhotse (the worlds highest and 4th highest peak) in under 24 hours and is one of only three individuals that have now down so; himself and Alpine Ascents guides Garrett Madison and Michael Horst.

Ben Jones is team leader for Michael Horst's Nuptse expedition- S2011

Hopefully our paths will cross again in the future

Namaste Jiban,

Now that Kate and I are both back in the States, I wanted to send you a quick note thanking you for all of your help in making our Nepal trip such a great experience. You’re help and guidance were very much appreciated, as was you picking us up from the airport that first day we arrived. Both Kate and I really appreciate it and it was fantastic getting to meet you. Please let us know if there’s anything we can do in the future to return the favor. Thank you again. Hopefully our paths will cross again in the future.

Cheers,

Charles Westrin
Director of Enterprise Risk Management
Apollo Group, Inc.
Office: 602.557.7201
Mobile: 602.284.0310
charles.westrin@apollogrp.edu

I can't tell you much I appreciate everything you did for me - the list is too long

Jiban!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Man, I sure do wish I could take you out for a beer right now. Or five.

So sorry I haven't emailed earlier - I've been slowly working my way through a massive email pile, and unfortunately my right hand still makes typing slow. One of these days it's going to realize that it doesn't need to be asleep anymore...I'm back in San Francisco, healing up, slowly working my way back to health. In the big picture, I'm great - feeling better every day - but it's going to be a few weeks (at least) until I'm back up to full speed. Hopefully I'll be back to work before long, depending on how the head feels. Holly Shit, I have no idea how I'm alive.

I can't tell you much I appreciate everything you did for me - the list is too long, so I plan to repay you over the next few decades, one trip to Nepal at a time :) I'll start by buying you a few beers in Kathmandu, with Galena, when we're next in town. More soon - hope all is well on your end - pass on an update when you have a chance. Any word from David Morton? Can't wait to see you again soon, without a bandage on my head!

-Link

You seemed to really ‘have my back’ as we say here in the US

Namaste Jiban!

Well, we’re all back in the US and a little rested up. I wanted to say a big ‘Thank You’ to you for all you did to make this first trip special. The banners, hats, tshirts, great staff, etc. Overall the guys were very impressed and even commented that you seemed to really ‘have my back’ as we say here in the US. It’s a compliment which means someone is loyal to you and whiling to help you in any way they can.

I really hope you have a great rest of the season. I’ll be working on updates to my Nepal trips, so please pass along those cost estimates you showed me briefly and I will look over where I think pricing needs to be. Let me know when you’ll be heading to Kilimanjaro. I hope you have an amazing time if you go. I love Africa!

Be well, be safe. It was great to see you again!

Darrell Atwater
www.NoLimitsAdventures.com

Mother's Day (Mata Tirtha Puja)

The Nepalese people have always been family oriented. They take great pride in their ancient tradition of closely-knit family unit. This sort of kinship is not only the result of religious teachings, but also due to various festivals and ceremonies, which brings the family together and strengthens the family ties in the Nepalese society.

Such is the festival of "Mata Tritha Puja" which in English is "Mother's day" . This festival falls on the last day of the dark fortnight of April or early May. It is a day when one shows appreciation and gratitude to his/her mother for her unconditional love and undying support.

On this day, each house bustles with activities and everyone, regardless of age, participates. There aren't much religious ceremonies but the fact that it is a day for mothers, calls for celebrations for she is the one who keeps the family together through ups and downs in life. Even the small children dig into their savings to buy gifts for their mothers. Sons and daughters living separately, come with presents and delicacies to spend time with their mother. It is a day of reunion for married daughters with their mothers. The entire day is filled with festivities and merry making.

Those who don't have a mother pay obeisance to Mata Tirtha, which is a sacred site of pilgrimage and holy bathing. It lies six miles south - west of central Katmandu, consisting of two pools-the larger for bathing and the smaller is famous as the place where one "looks upon one's mother's face".

Legends reveal that in the ancient times the region was ruled by a cowherd king. One of his cowherds was so depressed by his mother's death that he went to pray and make offerings at a water storage pond in the forest on this day. Miraculously his mother's face appeared and her hand accepted the offerings. Thus its called Mata Tirtha, where many hope to see their mother's face. Alot of folklores are attached to this site, some of which are tragic. But whatever it maybe, people still believe that paying homage to this site will bring peace to their mother's departed soul. So for this reason people come from distant places, on this day, to show their reverance.

Thus, Mata Tirtha holds a very profound meaning in each person's life. For a mother, is a figure present in everyone's life. This day gives each child a chance to show the depth of his/her feelings for her.

http://www.nepalhomepage.com/society/festivals/motherday.html

Salewa Mountain Equipment Store in Thamel, Kathmandu.Please contact us for special discount ......!!!!!!!!!

227 mountaineers have been permitted to climb the tallest peak on earth this season.

The government has permitted 22 expeditions to climb Mt Everest this season.

According to the Mountaineering Section at the Tourism Industry Division under the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, a total of 227 mountaineers have been permitted to climb the tallest peak on earth this season.

The government has permitted a total of 71 expeditions to attempt different peaks across the country this season. But people involved in adventure tourism say the number of expeditions is lower than that of last year.

“Perhaps mountaineers have keep their plan on hold as they are skeptic about the political situation in the country after 28 May – the deadline for new constitution,” an official at the Tourism Ministry said. Most of the expeditions have already left for respective climbing regions

Press meet - Exploration work of Upper Mustang

Chilean Shishapangma Expedition S2011

Dear Jiban,

I have now arrived to Santiago an everything is going very well, thanks to you my dear friend. i will never forget your excellent service and I feel that not only you are an excellent professional but also a very good and trusty friend. thanks you very much.

With my best personal regards,

Juan Obach
jobach@pathfinder.cl