The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) has just launched a new appeal, Mend Our Mountains, with the ambitious target of raising £1 million to repair footpaths in UK mountain areas. Here’s why I’m happy to dip my hand in my pocket for this worthwhile cause.
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The kindness of strangers is helping a young Sherpa recover from frostbite
Earlier this week a fundraising appeal for Sange, a 19-year-old Sherpa who suffered severe frostbite on Everest this year, reached its ambitious target of $42,000.
Read moreThe fate of Langtang village two years after the Nepal earthquake
One of the most jaw-dropping experiences of my recent visit to Langtang was passing through Langtang village, the site of a devastating landslide during the 2015 earthquake. Yesterday was the second anniversary, so it seems like the right moment to remember what happened.
Read moreIn Ladakh two men tackle climate change by making artificial glaciers
Today I’m going to tell you a story so bizarre that when I first read about it, I thought it must be fake news. But it’s true, and it’s a tale worth telling. It shows how individuals and communities can react to climate change in a way that works in harmony with nature.
Read moreShould outdoor and mountaineering writers talk about politics?
If you write about a subject that appeals to people of all political beliefs, then you should avoid talking about politics. But what if politics touches on the things you care about deeply enough to write about – do you say nothing? The answer to this is surprisingly simple.
Read moreHow to report a missing trekker in Nepal
Last week a new service was launched to help find tourists who have gone missing while trekking in Nepal. MissingTrekker.com is intended to be a database of missing trekkers, but it’s also a comprehensive resource about trekker safety.
Read moreNepal stories: the monk, the witch and the mountain guide
Those of you who like Nepal might be interested in an unusual film project that will be taking place in the Everest foothills next autumn, featuring a memorable cast of characters from a remote Sherpa village.
Read moreWhat does the Nepal Mountaineering Association do?
The Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) has recently lost a significant part of its annual income. In this week’s post I look at the NMA’s work to see what programmes will be affected and what this change is likely to mean for mountain tourism in Nepal.
Read moreThe house that can be carried on porter back
One of the best examples of Nepalese resourcefulness I’ve seen since the earthquake last month is the Himalayan Climate Initiative’s portable earthquake-proof house that can be carried to mountainous areas on porter back.
Read moreAs climbers wring their hands about Everest, Nepal quietly rebuilds
While the climbing community were busy bickering about Everest, the Nepalese were quietly rebuilding their lives after the devastating earthquake. As trustee of a development charity I was given a privileged insight into what they’ve been up to.
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