Nepal's Khumbu Region Declared Safe for Visitors

I'm a bit late on this news, as it was actually released last week, but it is definitely worth mentioning none the less. Miyamoto International, the engineering firm hired by the Nepali government to inspect the damage done from the April 25 earthquake, has indicated that the Khumbu Valley region of the country is safe and ready to welcome travelers. The report follows a similar one from a few weeks back when Miyamoto also declared the Annapurna region safe as well.

Inspectors trekked throughout the Khumbu region visiting 15 different villages and examining more than 700 different buildings there. They found that 83% of the structures were completely safe, and mostly unaffected by the 7.9-magnitude earthquake that rocked the country, claiming more than 9000 lives in the process. Furthermore, Miyamoto says that of the buildings that were damaged, most are repairable as well, and those repairs are taking place now.

This news comes just a month or so before the start of the fall trekking season, which typically gets underway in September following the departure of the monsoon. And this autumn there will be a concerted effort from the outdoor and adventure travel industry to drive traffic back to Nepal. Tourism is seen as a key method for rebuilding the economy there and getting the country back on track, so it will be vitally important to get travelers back into the country and spending their money with local businesses.

Whether or not trekkers and climbers return in large numbers remains to be seen. Nepal's reputation as a safe destination has taken quite a hit over the past year and a half, and many will probably stay away due to concerns about the country's infrastructure, which was fragile before the earthquake. Now, important resources are being applied to rebuilding and updating that infrastructure, which has the potential to be much better than ever before.

If you've been thinking about taking a trip to Nepal but have been putting it off, now might be the best time. Not only will you likely find plenty of good deals for trekking and climbing, but it is also likely that the trails will be less crowded too. Go now, and experience everything this amazing country has to offer.

Video: Watch the Second Trailer for Everest

Next month, the big Hollywood adaptation of Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air will hit theaters at long last. Simply entitled Everest, this film features an all-star cast with the likes of Josh Brolin, Jake Gyllenhaal, Kiera Knightly, Robin Wright, and many more. Last week, the second trailer for the film was released, giving us more of a glimpse of what to expect from the movie. This trailer includes more climbing shots than we've seen in the previous clips, including some nerve-wracking scenes of climbers passing through the Khumbu Icefall. It also gives viewers a better sense of the scope of the story as well, which most of us know inside and out by now.

When the first trailer for the film was released, I was a bit skeptical. Now, I remain cautiously optimistic. There is still some cringe-worthy dialog at times, but the climbing scenes look top notch, and cinematography is breathtaking. I think it is safe to say that we probably haven't seen a mountaineering film of this kind before, and I am now eager to see it on the big screen. Hopefully it meets expectations. Checkout the second trailer below.

How Young is Too Young for Everest? 11-Year Old Planning Expedition to World's Highest Peak

Back in 2010 there was a raging debate in the mountaineering community about how old someone should be before they attempt a climb up Everest. At the time, American Jordan Romero was attempting to complete the Seven Summits, and the tallest mountain on Earth was his next objective. He was just 13 years old, and many – myself included – felt that he was too young to attempt such an expedition. But Jordan would eventually get up and down the mountain safely, becoming the youngest person to achieve that feat. He would later become the youngest to climb all of the Seven Summits as well, completing that task well before his 16th birthday.

Jordan's efforts were certainly inspiring, and he has proven himself to be an exceptional young man. But in the wake of his Everest climb, both Nepal and Tibet instituted age requirements for climbers in an effort to ensure that there wasn't suddenly a rush of children on the mountain. Since then, no one has truly challenged Jordan's record, although there have been some other teenage climbers who have summited the mountain.

Now it may be time to start thinking about this debate once again. An 11-year old American by the name of Tyler Armstrong says that he wants to climb Everest in the spring of 2016 as he continues his quest for the Seven Summits as well, and attempts to raise money to combat muscular dystrophy. If given the chance to climb the mountain, he would be 12 years and 4 months old at the time.


While this sounds like a recipe for disaster, Tyler isn't without experience on big mountains. He has climbed Rainier on more than one occasion, and he has also climbed Kilimanjaro and Aconcagua too. He plans to go to Russia to attempt Elbrus soon as well, which he sees as a warm-up to Everest. Still, none of those mountains is an 8000-meter peak, which brings a whole new level of challenge that the young man has yet to encounter.

In order to climb Everest, Tyler would first have to get special permission from either the Nepali government or the Chinese-Tibet Mountaineering Association. Either one could easily deny him a climbing permit, although they could just as easily give him the okay as well. Considering the results of the last two climbing seasons on Everest however, I would think twice about granting permission to climb to a young man who isn't even a teenager yet.

I'll go on record now as saying that I think this is once again a bad idea. I felt that way five years ago when Jordan Romero was climbing as well, and while he went on to prove me wrong, I still believe that 8000-meter peaks are no place for children, no matter where else they've climbed. For now, we'll have to wait to see if either the Nepalese or Chinese grant Tyler a permit, but I for one hope that they stick to the guidelines enacted back in 2010 and continue to require minimum age limits for all climbers. Unfortunately I don't feel all that confident that they will indeed enforce those rules.

Mudslides Claim 30 Lives in Nepal

The monsoon season has brought yet another tragedy to the beleaguered people of Nepal. Yesterday, heavy rains caused massive mudslides near Pokhara, which caused damage to numerous villages and claimed the lives of at least 30 people. 

Sadly enough, the mudslides mainly occurred in the Annapurna region of the country, where the popular Annapurna Circuit was just reopened for visitors. Fortunately, the summer monsoon season is not a popular one for foreign visitors, and few travelers are on the trail at this time. Still, the last thing Nepal needed at the moment was the loss of more life due to a natural disaster. 

It has been a very difficult year and a half in the Himalayan country. In 2014, the climbing season on Everest was halted after an avalanche claimed the lives of 16 workers on the mountain, which at the time was the single deadliest day in the mountain's history. Then, last fall, a freak blizzard descended on the mountains, killing more than 40 trekkers and stranding hundreds of others. That was followed up by the deadly April 25 earthquake – and its aftershocks – that took place this past spring, killing nearly 9000 people in the process. That disaster triggered another avalanche at Everest Base Camp which killed an additional 19 people there. These tragic mudslides are now just extending the misery even further. 

According to the article linked to above, search and rescue teams are combing through the mud today in search of survivors and bodies. But their work is being hampered by the fact that they don't have any power tools to help speed things along. Instead they are forced to use shovels and even dinner bowls in their efforts. For a country that is already stretch thin in terms of resources, this type of challenge was the last thing it needed. 

One has to wonder at what point the Nepali people have suffered enough. It has been a trying 15 months or so, and it doesn't seem like things are going to get better anytime soon. There is still a lot of damage that needs to be repaired from the earthquake, which will take years to completely overcome. Hopefully the embattled nation will catch a break at some point, and can start to get on with the process of getting back to normal life. 

Nepal Reopens Annapurna Circuit

One of the best trekking routes in the world has reopened in Nepal after being closed for the past three months following the devastating earthquake on April 25. Earlier today it was announced that the Annapurna Circuit is ready to receive hikers once again after an independent inspection team certified it safe for foreign visitors.

In the wake of the disaster, the Nepali government hired a California-based structural engineering company called  Miyamoto International to survey the Annapurna trail, as well as villages, tea houses, and other structures along its length. After an exhaustive study, the firm says that it found that less than 1% of the route, and 3% of the teahouses, had suffered any damage from the earthquake.

The news shouldn't come as much of a surprise, although it is good to know that the Annapurna Circuit is safe. The initial earthquake took place in the Kathmandu Valley, destroying homes, historical sites, and sometimes whole villages in the process. But the epicenter was far from the Annapurna region, which obviously suffered very little from the natural disaster.

A major aftershock hit Nepal just a few days after the April 25 quake. That one had its epicenter in the Khumbu Valley region, which is closer to Everest. Miyamoto is still surveying the trail to Everest Base Camp – the other popular trekking route in Nepal – and will release its results on that inspection soon. It is expected that the damage will be greater in that area, but that the trekking route will be reopened as well.

Nepal sees about 140,000 visitors each year just to hike these two routes. As the country struggles to rebuild, you can understand why it would want to reassure travelers that these areas are safe. Tourism dollars will play a big role in getting the country back on its feet, and this is a good step in rebuilding that industry. With the fall trekking season now just a couple of months away, it will be interesting to see how many people return, and how many stay away.

Video: Climbing Annapurna Spring 2015

Alexander Barber spent the spring climbing season on Annapurna in Nepal, attempting a solo summit without the use of supplemental oxygen. He was able to reach as high as 7000 meters (22,965 ft) before the April 25 earthquake changed everything. This video chronicles his early efforts to climb that very difficult mountain, and his experiences with assisting in the rebuilding and recovery process following the disaster. This is a personal account of a lost climbing season in the Himalaya, and the aftermath of a devastating earthquake.

Nepal Lays Out Plan For Tourism Revival

Less than two months after a devastating earthquake rocked the country, Nepal is already attempting to plot a course for the recovery of its vital tourism industry. Earlier this week the government there formed a committee to lead the revival of Nepal's travel industry, although the group faces significant challenges in that endeavor. 

The 36-member panel includes some notable names within the tourism and business development sectors within Nepal. The committee has already determined that it will take roughly Rs 21 billion ($205 million) to get recovery efforts back on track, and to that end they are seeking investments both locally and internationally. Those funds will go to repairing damaged infrastructure, including rebuilding some important cultural and heritage sites that were devastated by the April 25 earthquake. 

The committee has also been charged with the important task of attempting to right the ship on Nepal's mountaineering industry as well. Climbing expeditions on Mt. Everest and other major peaks ceased this spring due to the quake, which caused an avalanche near Everest Base Camp that claimed the lives of 18 people. That follows on the heels of last year's disaster in which 16 Sherpas were killed in an avalanche higher up the mountain. That tragedy abruptly ended the 2014 season as well, leaving the entire climbing sector in disarray. 

Part of what the recovery team hopes to accomplish is to get the word out that most of trekking routes and mountains are completely safe in the wake of the earthquake. Only parts of Lantang and the Manaslu Trail remain effected by the disaster. That means that most of Nepal is safe for travelers, and ready for foreign visitors to return. Unfortunately, not all of the infrastructure is in place, and fully operational just yet, although efforts are being made to correct that. 

Without a doubt, this tourism committee faces an uphill battle in reviving the industry in the near future. In addition to the challenges they face with mountaineers and earthquake recovery, the country is also still reeling from another natural disaster last fall. That's when an unusually powerful blizzard hit the Himalaya, killing more than 40 people – including foreign trekkers – and stranding hundreds along Nepal's trekking routes. Each of these events has given many the perception that Nepal simply isn't safe at the moment, which is causing some travelers to go elsewhere. 

The recovery process is certainly going to be a long one, but considering the natural resources and beauty that Nepal possesses I'm sure it'll get back to normal in time. Until that happens however, a lot of people that work in the travel industry there are going to struggle. 

Mt. Everest Moved 3 cm by Nepal Earthquake

As Nepal continues to rebuild and recover from the deadly 7.8 magnitude earthquake that took place there back on April 25, we are starting to get a better understand of just how powerful this seismic event actually was. According to new reports, the earthquake was so strong that it actually moved Everest 3 cm (1.2 inches) to the southwest. That might not sound like it is very far, but when you consider the size of the mountain – the tallest in the world – and the slow pace of geologic movement, it is an incredible shift.

Precise measurements of Everest's movements have been observed since 2005 when the Chinese placed a satellite tracking system on the summit. Since then, they have seen the mountain move about 4 cm (1.5 inches) to the north each year, and grow at a rate of about .3 cm (.11 inches). But the earthquake not only reversed the direction of the movement, it also shifted the peak nearly an entire year's distance in one sudden, jarring motion. That motion caused avalanches to occur on Everest, with 18 people losing their lives in Base Camp on the South Side.

Despite this massive shift, it does not appear that the mountain lost or gained any altitude. Instead, it appears that it shifted horizontally, without moving vertically in any way. Furthermore, the 7.5 magnitude aftershock that occurred on May 12 had no impact on the mountain at all in terms of movement.

The initial quake in April claimed the lives of more 8000 people, and destroyed hundreds of buildings throughout the Kathmandu Valley. It also brought an abrupt end to the spring climbing season, with most major expeditions taking place in Nepal shutting down in the aftermath of the disaster. It is unclear whether or not there are any plans to return to the mountain this fall, but numerous trekking teams have already canceled their trips that were scheduled to take place in the post-monsoon months.

In the greater scheme of things, this shift in Everest's location would have gone unnoticed were it not for the precise instruments installed on the summit. But, that said, in terms of geological forces at work, it does give us an indication of just how powerful this earthquake truly was. When mountains are literally shifting it is easy to understand why the destruction was so widespread and massive in its scope. Thankfully, recovery efforts are well underway, but it is going to take years for Nepal to fully get past this disaster.

Video: Mountain Biking Nepal

We all know that Nepal is an amazing destination for climbing and trekking, but it is also becoming much more mountain bike friendly as well. As you'll see in this video, there is a lot to like for riders looking to explore the Himalaya from the seat of a bike. The video was shot in Shivapuri National Park on a ride hosted by Himalayan Single Track. It looks like it would be one fantastic way to see the country.

Summer Climbs 2015: 6 Summit Challenge Continues in Pakistan

Earlier this year I told you about Nick Cienski and his 6 Summits Challenge. At the time, Nick was just about to embark on a massive undertaking that would see him attempt to climb six different 8000-meter peaks in a single year. He had hoped to knock off Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu this spring, but unfortunately the Nepal earthquake put an end to those ambitions. Now, Nick has shifted gears some, and identified three other mountains that he will attempt instead. With that goal in mind, he is now ramping up for an ambitious summer in Pakistan.

Following the April 25 earthquake that devastated Nepal, Nick and his team went to work lending support and aid to the country. As with many other climbers, their efforts have helped to rebuild the country that still has a very long road to navigate before any sense of normalcy returns.

In July, Nick will travel to Pakistan to relaunch the 6 Summits Challenge. He will now focus on climbing Broad Peak (8051 meters/26,414 ft), and both Gasherbrum I (8080 meters/26,444 ft) and II (8035 meters/26,362 ft). Together, these three mountains are the 11th, 12th, and 13th highest mountains in the world, and will make for a significant undertaking in the weeks ahead.

This isn't Nick's first time climbing in the region. In fact, he has climbed on Broad Peak twice in the past, reaching the summit back in 1990. He is likely to find that things are a bit different on the mountain now, with more teams visiting on an annual basis. The two Gasherbrum peaks will be a new challenge for Cienski, although after acclimatizing on BP, he'll probably go for a traverse that links the two summits in one long climb.

Following his Pakistani climbs, Nick will travel to Tibet in the fall, where he'll than attempt to summit Shishapangma (8027 meters/26,335 ft) and Cho Oyu (8201 meters/26,906 ft). After that, the plan is to travel back to Nepal to complete the challenge by summiting Manaslu (8163 meters/26,781 ft). Those expeditions are expected to take place immediately after he wraps up the summer triple-header, beginning sometime in late-August.

One thing that hasn't changed with the 6 Summit Challenge is that Nick is using it to raise funds for his Mission 14 organization. This nonprofit is dedicated to stamping out human trafficking, which continues to be a major issue in just about every corner of the globe.

I said it before, and I'll say it again. Summiting six 8000-meter peaks in a single year is going to be tough. Now however, it'll be even more challenging as Nick needs to complete the climbs in a smaller window of opportunity. We'll soon see if he is up to the task. You can follow his progress on Facebook and Twitter as he pushes forward in the weeks ahead.

Everest Guide Dave Hahn Shares His Thoughts on the Nepal Earthquake

As the days go by, and the incessant news cycle pushes the stories about the Nepal earthquake further off the radar, it is easy to lose sight of the ongoing struggle that is currently taking place in the Himalayan country. After all, it is only natural for us to turn our attention elsewhere, even though the real work to rebuild has only just begun. A few days back, Rainier Mountain Guide Dave Hahn – who has 15 successful summits of Everest on his resume – wrote a blog post that shared his experiences on the mountain this spring, and the aftermath of the tragedy that occurred there. His words are a sharp reminder of the human loss, and the far reaching impact of this natural disaster.

Dave says that his RMI team was one of the first into Everest Base Camp this spring, after spending 10 days hiking up the Khumbu Valley. He reports that their acclimatization efforts were going well, and everything was proceeding as expected, even though snowstorms had disrupted the schedule some. On April 23, the group moved up the mountain to Camp 1 as they started an acclimatization rotation. Two days later – the day of the earthquake – they had ascended to Camp 2. That is where they were when the ground started rumbling, causing the earth to move under their feet, and shaking snow, ice, and rocks off of the mountains that surrounded them.

When things had calmed down, the team discovered that BC has been hit, and that numerous camps had been flattened. Their Sherpa and support staff in Base Camp immediately went to work helping those who were injured and searching for the missing. Ultimately the avalanche that swept through that part of the mountain would claim the lives of 19 climbers, and send a shockwave through the entire mountaineering community. 

Dave says that the RMI squad found themselves stranded at Camp 1, and all they could do was wait. Rebuilding the route through the treacherous Khumbu Icefall was "out of the question," as that notorious section of the mountain had been devastated by the disaster. On top of that, the Ice Doctors who maintain the route were focusing their efforts elsewhere. 

On April 27 – two days after the earthquake – the RMI team was airlifted by helicopter back to Base Camp. It was there that the magnitude of what happened truly began to set in. The climbers started to realize exactly what had happened, and reports of the widespread devastation were only just starting to creep in. There was no hesitation about canceling the climbing season, as everyone's attention was elsewhere. This was particularly true for the Sherpas who only wanted to get home to check on friends and family. 

Over the next three days the team descended down the Khumbu, getting a first hand look at the destruction as they went. Tea houses, restaurants, homes, and at times, whole villages, were destroyed. And yet Dave says that the climbers were still greeted with warmly by the people they met along the way. 

The guide says that the trek out was incredibly quiet, with all of the tourists already long gone. It was than that he, and the rest of the team, began to realize that an economic disaster lay ahead. On top of all of the destruction the earthquake had brought, it had also driven away the business that rural Nepal needs to survive. 

Dave's account of the disaster is a sobering one, and well worth a read for anyone who is interested in the ongoing struggles that Nepal faces. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. This is going to take years to recover from, and there are certainly places in the country that will never be the same again. 

Video: A Journey Through Nepal

Earlier today I made a post about the lack of a climbing season on Everest once again this year, and the challenges that Nepal faces on its road to recovery. In that post I remarked about how it is difficult to not fall in love with the Himalayan country, whose natural beauty and welcoming people are just so inspiring. This video will give you a first hand look at those aspects of Nepal. It is an hour-long documentary that takes you through the streets of Kathmandu, into the Chitwan National Park, and on the entire trek to Everest Base Camp. If you've never been to Nepal, this film will inspire you to want to go. If you've already been there, it will be a reminder of that beautiful place, and some of the things that were lost as a result of the earthquake. Either way, this is a video that you should get comfortable for, as it is a wonderful journey through Nepal without ever leaving your home.

Himalaya Spring 2015: Another Lost Season on Everest

This is the time of year when I should be posting about summit bids on Everest and other big Himalayan peaks. Historically speaking, this week is one in which all of the variables come together to allow the climbers on the world's tallest mountain to go to the top at long last. But for the second straight year we're left contemplating a tragic event that has brought a halt to those proceedings, although this year it is on a much grander scale than we could have ever imagined.

The Nepal earthquake continues to have far reaching consequences on a country that struggled to provide reliable services and good infrastructure even in the best of times. Now, it is a nation in ruins, and many people are without homes, jobs, food, or water. The road to recovery is going to be a long one, and it is surely going to be made all the more challenging thanks to the Nepali government's track record of internal corruption and a history of making dubious decisions.

Obviously my heart goes out to the people of Nepal in their time of need and suffering. But I also can't help but lament the fact that we have another lost season on Everest too. This is a time when exhausted – but overjoyed – alpinists should be returning to Base Camp having completed a climb that they have spent years dreaming about, months planning for, and weeks preparing to finish.

At this point in the season, most would have been on the mountain for about six weeks, and after days spent acclimatizing and waiting patiently, they would get their shot at the summit at long last. Instead, most of those climbers have long since left for home, their dreams shattered along with the Nepali countryside. Some remain in the country however, working hard to lend assistance where they can. Most people who visit Nepal – either as climbers or trekkers – feel a deep connection with the place, and the people who live there, which is part of the reason there has been such an impressive outpouring of support from the outdoor community. It is a very special place, where adventure, nature, and spirituality all come together in a perfect union that is hard to explain if you haven't experienced it for yourself. But when you do, it is something that you never can forget.

2014 will be remembered as a year when the Sherpa people mourned the loss of their brethren on the slopes of Everest. 2015 will be remembered as the year that we all morned the loss of our brothers and sisters in Nepal. It is hard to think about mountaineering expeditions when you consider all of the challenges that lie ahead for that country, but believe it or not climbing will help heal the people there. The return of climbers and trekkers will be a sign that things are returning to normal, and it will bring a much needed influx of cash to the economy. Those days are still a long way off at this point, but I think we are all eager for them to arrive.

Perhaps next year we'll see climbers make their way to the summit once again. It will be a sign that stability has returned at long last. But the Nepal will never be the same again, no matter how many people summit Everest.

Trek the Himalaya and Help Rebuild Nepal this Fall

Are you looking for a way that you can help contribute to the efforts to rebuild Nepal, while also getting the opportunity to explore the natural wonders that the country has to offer? Than you'll want to check out a new trek that is being organized for this fall that will give travelers an opportunity to hike in the Himalaya and help rebuild some of the shattered villages there.

Online gear sales site The Clymb has teamed up with adventure travel company Ace the Himalaya to organize a unique trip to Nepal that is scheduled to take place this September. The 13-day journey will take participants deep into the mountains on an amazing trek through a remote region of Nepal, where they'll first spend a few days helping to rebuild the village of Gorkha, one of the most hard hit towns in the earthquake. After four days of building houses and helping to construct other facilities, the group will than drive to Pokhara to begin the trek which will go as high as 3210 meters (10,532 ft) on Poon Hill.

This is a "voluntourism" effort, and as such, all proceeds will go to the Sambhav Nepal organization, an NGO that is dedicated to rebuilding the country. That means travelers on this trip will not only be helping to rebuild the country directly, the money paid will continue to aid in reconstruction long after they've gone back home.

The trekking tour costs $1199 with the first departure set for September of this year, and others to follow later in the fall, and into 2016. For more information, and to join the trek, click here.

This is of course a great way to contribute to the rebuilding effort in Nepal. We'll know doubt see similar trips offered from other organizations in the near future as well, but this is the first that I've come across so far. I wanted to give a tip of the hat to The Clymb and Ace the Himalaya for organizing this tour so quickly.

With the monsoon season coming rapidly, some of the work to rebuild will be stymied by the weather I'm sure. But there is much to be done, and time is of the essence. All efforts are most certainly appreciated.

Video: On the Frontline of the Nepal Earthquake

Over the past week or so since my return from Egypt, much of what I have written about has centered around Nepal, and the suffering that is taking place there in the wake of the April 25 earthquake. But my words can only convey so much, which is why this video is so powerful. It not only gives us a look at the widespread damage there, it features first hand accounts from survivors about what that day was like, and the aftermath that has followed. This 7 minute clip will really bring the level of devastation home, and it is hard to overstate just how bad conditions there are at the moment. Watching this makes my heart ache for the Nepali people, who continue to face uphill battles to their recovery.

On the Front Lines: Nepal Earthquake from Samaritan's Purse on Vimeo.

Nepal Earthquake Causes Himalaya to Sink 3 Feet

If you're looking for an indication of just how powerful the earthquake that hit Nepal on April 25 truly was, than look no further than this story. According to reports, the 7.8-magnitutde quake, which destroyed buildings and claimed the lives of more 8000 people, was so strong that it actually caused some parts of the Himalaya to drop by as much as three feet (1 meter). In geological terms that is an extraordinary shift in plate tectonics, and would help explain why the devastation has been so far reaching.

Satellite imagery taken by the European Space Agency has confirmed the massive shift along the Indian and Eurasian Plates, the two tectonic forces that created the Himalaya in the first place. Those mountains have continued to grow at a steady pace over the millennia because those two plates are colliding with one another. Seismic instability often occurs along the fault lines where two plates meet. In this case, the original earthquake took place at a point in the Earth that isn't far from Kathmandu. The article describes the plate found under that point snapping like a rubber band under the extreme pressure.

The massive quake even had an impact on Mt. Everest itself, although it wasn't quite so dramatic as the three foot drop seen elsewhere. It is believed that the mountain lost about an inch (2.54 cm) of height following the tremors. That change would obviously be imperceptible to anyone on the mountain, but is still an indication of just how strong the quake was.

It is incredibly scary to think about these tectonic forces at work, and just how much damage they can cause. We only need to look at the images that have come out of Nepal over the past few weeks to get an understanding of just how much damage has been done. Those images show a country completely devastated by this disaster, with so much infrastructure wiped out that it will take years to rebuild everything.

Over time, the Himalaya will rebuild as well. In the case of Everest, it will probably regain the lost inch in about a year or so. The other places that have been hit more heavily will take far longer to recover their lost height. But while the Indian Plate continues to push against he Eurasian one, the mountains will continue to grow. And similar earthquakes to this one will continue to happen.

Nepal Update: U.S. Helicopter Goes Missing

The news out of Nepal continues to be sobering today as the country struggles to recover from a second major earthquake that brought widespread damage once again yesterday. Meanwhile, a U.S. aid helicopter has gone missing as well, with eight people aboard. That news underscores the challenges and dangers of the recovery efforts, as well as the difficulties that relief workers face.

The helicopter was delivering emergency supplies to the Dolakha district on Tuesday when it disappeared. There were six U.S. Marines onboard, as well as two Nepali soldiers, at the time. Their condition is unknown as of this writing, but there is hope amongst search and rescue teams that at least some of the team is still alive.

It is believed that the helicopter sat down in a river in a remote part of Nepal. Considering the mountainous terrain that is prevalent throughout much of the country, just about everywhere is "remote" however. Hundreds of ground troops and other helicopters have joined the search, but the whereabouts of the downed aircraft and its crew remain unknown at this time. There is hope that they will be found alive and waiting for pick-up however.


The search efforts for the missing aircraft have temporarily pulled resources away from true mission which is delivering aid and support to the villages and towns that have been hit hard by the April 25 earthquake and the follow-up quake from yesterday. According to reports, yesterday's 7.3 magnitude quake destroyed even more buildings – particularly those weakened from the original disaster – and claimed the lives of more than 65 people and injured another 2000.

While those numbers pale in comparison to quake from two weeks ago, they are only adding to the pain and suffering felt by the Nepali people. Worse yet, a spokesman for the U.S. Geological Survey says that the country could continue to feel aftershocks for six months to a year. That is bad news for those living in Nepal, as panic often ensues when those aftershocks are felt at the moment. Continuing to live on edge for months to come would have an even more devastating effect on their mindset.

With thousands of people displaced from their homes, hundreds still missing, and on going challenges to distributing relief aid, Nepal is facing a long uphill battle toward recovery. At the moment, no one is thinking about mountaineering expeditions or trekking routes as the focus is clearly on rescues and rebuilding. It will be years before the country returns to any state of normalcy, and rebuilding efforts could take even longer. Fortunately, there seems to be a vested interest by a number of parties to see Nepal get rebuilt. While the task ahead is a herculean one for sure, there will be opportunities for the country to come out of this stronger than ever before.

Another Earthquake Hits Nepal, at Least 36 Confirmed Dead

The situation in Nepal went from bad to worse earlier today when the country was hit by yet another powerful earthquake which rattled already fragile buildings and claimed even more lives. This comes on the heels of devastating April 25 quake which leveled entire villages and has claimed the lives of more than 8000 people.

According to reports, the 7.3-mangnitude quake that hit this morning had an epicenter that was located near the border with Tibet, not far from Everest Base Camp. It took place at a depth of about 11 miles, which is deeper than the previous one, which helped to alleviate damage on the surface. It still managed to incite panic amongst the Nepali people who are still reeling from the events from two weeks ago. Many streamed out into the streets to avoid collapsing buildings. Not all made it to safety however, as it is reported that at least 36 more people have lost their lives as a result of this latest disaster.

Shockwaves from today's tremor were felt as far away as Delhi, India, and there are reports of more buildings collapsing across Nepal, although they are mostly believed to have been structures that had already suffered damage. Ongoing aftershocks were also continuing to roll across the country as well, indicating that the ordeal may not be completely over just yet.

Meanwhile, climber/adventurer Adrian Hayes is on the ground in Nepal, and has been making his way to remote villages throughout the Himalaya over the past few weeks. His reports from the field are sad to read, as he has come across numerous villages that have been almost completely destroyed by the quake. Adrian tells ABC news in Australia that the residents of those villages don't expect to receive any help for years, and feel like they are now cut-off from the outside world.


Adrian says that he is the first outsider to reach some of these communities since the disaster struck, and many of the people living there have a sense of helplessness about them. The situation in Nepal's capital of Kathmandu is bad, but at least relief aid is arriving there. In these remote mountain villages the task of delivering that aid become much more difficult. The country is still attempting to come to grips with the logistics needed to assist those in need, while it also continues to survey the damage too. Part of the problem is a lack of helicopters that can actually help deliver food, water, and other emergency supplies. More helicopters are expected to arrive in Nepal over the next few weeks, but until than many people will continue to suffer.

It is a sad state of affairs in Nepal at the moment, and the people living there aren't the only ones who feel helpless. Many in the outdoor and adventure travel community have similar feelings at the moment as they seek ways to do more. Despite providing a great deal of relief funds and supplies, the task of delivering that aid in a timely and efficient manner seems like an insurmountable task. While relief workers struggle to sort out that challenge, Nepal's people are forced to endure more hardship.

As I've said before, the road to recovery is going to be a long and difficult one. The process can't even truly begin as long as the earthquakes continue. Hopefully some stability will descend on the country soon. The people there are more than ready to begin putting this disaster behind them.

Himalaya 2015: Nepal is the Outdoor Industry at its Finest

It has been more than two weeks since the tragic earthquake rattled Nepal, claiming the lives of thousands of people and shattering an already fragile infrastructure. Over that period of time, there has been an outpouring of support from a number of nations, organizations, and influential individuals from across the globe, as the international community scrambles to provide aid to a nation that is only just beginning to recover.

Amongst those lending a hand are a number of prominent gear manufacturers, adventure travel companies, nonprofits, and other organizations associated with the outdoor community. In fact, when you stop to take a look at the concerted efforts that have taken place on a number of different fronts, it is impossible to not be impressed by the response to this crisis. Companies like Mountain Hardwear, Sherpa Adventure Gear, and Keen footwear – just to name a few –  have all raised tens of thousands of dollars to help with rescue and recovery efforts in Nepal. Most of that money has come from their customers, many of whom have a vested interest in seeing the Himalayan country rebuilt.

The efforts to help the cause aren't just confined to outdoor gear companies however. G Adventures and Intrepid Travel both immediately began raising funds to help Nepal, and so far they have brought in more than $200,000 and $300,000 AUD respectively. The two travel companies had trekking groups in the country at the time of the earthquake, and so their staff knows first hand just how dangerous and devastating the situation truly was. Fortunately, no one on those trips was injured, and they all got home safely. Both G and Intrepid are committed to returning to Nepal with future groups of travelers as well, as tourism dollars will be crucial to rebuilding the economy there.

My friends at the Himalayan Stove Project have been very active since the earthquake as well. The organization that is dedicated to delivering clean cook stoves to the people of Nepal has mobilized its resources within the country to not only help survey the damage that has been done, but to roll out more of its stoves to regions that have been hit so hard that they don't have the resources necessary to subsist on daily basis. In some parts of the country, entire villages have been wiped off the map, and thousands of people are without homes. But efforts on the part of the team at HSP have helped to deliver cook stoves to those areas, allowing survivors to at least start to feed their families, as well as others who are still struggling to come to terms with the level of destruction that has hit the country. The organization is also working on sourcing tents from nearby India, which can be used as temporary shelters while the rebuilding process starts to get underway.

Similarly, Eureka! has joined forces with the Seva Foundation to provide tents for the citizens of Nepal as well. The company is also providing hundreds of tents and sleeping pads, with much of the gear already being shipped to the village of Ghiling, which has been almost completely destroyed, and the entire population has been sleeping outside. The goal is to provide some kind of shelter for the homeless, particularly as the summer monsoon season nears.

This is, of course, just a small sampling of the fantastic effort being put fourth by so many in the outdoor adventure and travel industry over the past few weeks. It has been incredibly inspiring and heartwarming to see so many organizations rally to support Nepal, a country that is the very epitome of the word "adventure." While there is a long road to recovery ahead, with continued efforts like these, we can help Nepal start that process in the best way possible, and perhaps come out of this situation stronger than ever. I'm proud of the outdoor industry for what it has accomplished so far, and I'm happy to be associated with these organizations, even if in just some small way.

NASA-Developed Technology is Helping Save Lives in Nepal

After all of the heartache and tragedy that has come out of Nepal over the past week and a half, yesterday we finally got a bit of good news. It seems that technology is being put to good use in the search for survivors, as it was announced that a new portable radar system has helped search and rescue squad locate four men who were trapped beneath the rubble by detecting their heartbeats.

Just days after the disaster hit Nepal, the village of Chautara received two prototype FINDER systems. FINDER, which stands for Finding Individuals for Disaster and Emergency Response, was created based on technology developed by NASA to search for life on other planets. The system uses microwaves to to look under the surface for signs of life, and is sensitive enough that it can detect individual heartbeats or even breathing.

The device is seeing it's first real world action in Nepal, and was able to locate four survivors who have been buried under 10 feet of bricks, mud, and other debris since April 25, the day the earthquake took place. FINDER located the individuals in two different locations, with two men in both places.

It is difficult to look for positive news coming out of Nepal at the moment, but a story like this one sure helps. Hopefully the radar device can be used to locate more survivors as SAR teams race against time. After nearly two weeks, the chances of finding anyone alive under all of that rubble is running out, although we can still hold out hope that others may be located.


Meanwhile, in Kathmandu the process of inspecting building and declaring them safe or dangerous has begun. Apparently about 13,000 families have requested such inspections of their homes, which is making the process a difficult and time consuming one. According to one article, about 40% of the buildings inspected have been declared safe so far, which means that thousands of people will be without homes in the days ahead.

Sadly, the death toll continues to mount as well. The number of people killed in the disaster has now risen to more than 7600, with hundreds more still missing. Worse yet, the aftermath of the earthquake could create an environment that is rife for the spread of disease, including cholera. The fear is now that thousands more could die before the situation will begin to improve.

Lets keep the country of Nepal, and its wonderful people, in our thoughts as we move ahead. The road to recovery is certainly going to be a long and difficult one.