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| Mountaineering |
| Nepal is known the world over primarily three things.
Mt. Everest, Lord Buddha’s birthplace and as the home land of
Gurkha solders. However it is her mountains that have proved to be
irresistible for worls’s bravest adventures. It all began with
the scaling of mt. everest by Edmund Hillary and his Sherpa solleague
tensing Norgay, in 1953. then followed the Messners. The Bonninggtons,
and the her-zogs. Not at all surprising since the land stands tall
with 8 of the highest mountains in the world. Of the countless number of summits within Nepal, a little over 100 are open to foreigners for a fee. Expeditions to the 8000 m-plus are expensive and are usually sponsored. For instance, Everest is currently $50,000. However, 33 of the so-called “trekking peaks” (in the 5,000-6,000 m range) an be climbed for a lesser fee. Lthough by Himalayan standards, these are considered minor peaks, they nonetheless provide snow and ice climbing and re technically quite challenging. Fees or (royalties) depend on the altitude of the peak, starting at $1,000 for those below 6,501 m and risig by $500 for every 500 m increment; for peaks from 7,501 m to 8,000m it cost $3,000. Climbing gears ranging from tents to rope or crampons, can be bought or rented in Kathmandu. Many of the mountaineering/trekking companies also offer “mountaineering” packages, where they provide all gear, food , transportation to and fro, Sherpa guides and potters services, etc. they also arrange for insurance coverage (if you don’t have on that is). It is best to shop around for agencies that have good experience and good track record in this area and only then plan your mountaineering trip. |
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| Climbing permit All mountaineering teams desirous of obtaining a permit must submit an application to the mountaineering section of the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (Tel: 4256231 / 4256234; fax 0977-1-4227281). Enclosed therein must be a recommendation by the concerned government or by the mountaineering Association of applicant’s home country recognized by the international Mountaineering Association (UIAA), of a recommendation by the Embassy of the home country in the kingdom of Nepal. The application must be submitted about 4 months prior to the proposed expiation. There are 33 peaks in the range of 6,500 m and below open for alpine trekking under the NMA (Nepal mountaineering Association). It should be noted that in most cases the climbing of these peaks require experience. Detailed information and application for climbing permits are available from the Trekking Agents Association of Nepal office at Nag Pokhari in Kathmandu (Tel: 4434525;fax 0977-1-4434578) or you could contact your trekking agency in Kathmandu. Every mountaineering team, while submitting an application to the Mountaineering section of the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation for a permit, must submit a route map. The map must include the caravan route and the expedition route.
His majesty’s Governmentmay provide the following facilities
to any mounteneering team that has obtained a permit for mountaineering
expedition.
Altitude sickness also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS),
if not treated when symptoms first appear, can cause death. AMS
is the effect of altitude on those who ascend too rapidly to elevations
of who ascend too rapidly to elevations of 3,000 m or above. Early
mountain sickness manifests itself as headache, loss of appetite
and sleeplessness. Being young, strong and fit doesn’t necessarily
help. Medicine is no substitute for hurried descent or evacuation
to lower altitude. If a doctor is available, he may give medicine
and oxygen. However, the patient must go down even if given treatment.
If you travel to Khumbu region, you can contact hospitals at Khunde
and pheriche and if you travel to manang, oyu can contact Manang
hospital. Doctors are available all through the trkking season.
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