What do Prince Philip, an Everest summiteer and a Nepali rock star have in common?

What do Prince Philip, an Everest summiteer and a Nepali rock star have in common?

A year ago I explained how I have taken up a voluntary position as trustee of a charity providing educational support in Nepal. I thought it was time I provided an update, as there is an interesting Everest connection to report as well as an amazing story of stoic determination that would impress even the hardiest Sherpa.

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Everest: The Return of the Mavericks

Everest: The Return of the Mavericks

The government of Nepal has slashed permit fees for individuals climbing Everest from $25,000 to $10,000. But the group permit system that provided discounts for larger teams has been abolished, and the fee for a team member has increased to $11,000. What does this mean for the spring climbing season on the south side of Everest?

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Nepal’s top 5 most valuable mountains

Nepal’s top 5 most valuable mountains

The government of Nepal recently published figures about the revenue it earned from climbing permits in 2013, including a list of the five most valuable peaks for tourist income. There are few surprises, but the extent to which four mountains dominate is a bit of an eye opener.

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Climbing big mountains isn’t everyone’s cup of tea

Climbing big mountains isn’t everyone’s cup of tea

We’re all different; some of us enjoy walking all day up a steep hill and going to sleep in a tent, while others prefer lying on a beach or partying all night. Luckily the world is big enough to accommodate all of us, but there seems to be a surprisingly large number of people who climb big mountains when they’re really not enjoying themselves.

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