Everest Trek and Lobuche East Climb
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Perhaps you have dreamed of seeing Everest and walking in the footsteps of the great explorers. Well, wait no more! This expedition not only takes you to the most spectacular mountains on earth, but the heart and soul of the trip is making the lives of the people of Nepal better by our humanitarian emphasis in Kumari. So to get started, there are three sections to the expedition; the Everest Trek, the Lobuche East climb and the Kumari Project. Choose the one that fits you best and register by clicking the link.
Everest Trek – 18 Days
- Everest Trek view of Ama Dablam.
This adventure begins in Kathmandu, where you will take a scenic flight beside the Himalayas and land in Lukla. Cross great swinging bridges and enjoy village life while you climb up to the Sherpa capital, Namche Bazaar. Here in this incredible place you can view the power of Everest and a 360 degree view of mountains. After a day experiencing the Sherpa markets you will make your way across the valley and visit the historic temples and villages of the Khumbu region. You will then hike near Island Peak and the Great Lhotse Face and join the Khumbu Glacier finally arriving at Everest Base Camp (EBC). From EBC you will have the option of climbing Kala Pattar and glimpsing a sunrise over Everest. Then you will descend the Khumbu Valley to Lobuche East Base Camp. Here you will spend two days relaxing while the climbers venture upward for their summit bid. The summit team will rejoin the group at base camp and then continue the trek together back to Namche Bazaar and on down to Lukla.
This trek takes 18 days and provides for acclimatization and plenty of time to take pictures, paint, play games, journal and read. Each night you will stay in local Nepali guest houses (with the exception of two nights at Lobuche East Base Camp) and appreciate three cooked meals and local hot teas.
Lobuche East Climb – 18 Days (Includes Everest Trek)
- The route follows the right ridge of snow and follows the skyline to the summit at left.
Lobuche East raises to a height of 20,025. Guarding the Khumbu Valley, this beautiful mountain looks across at Everest, Ama Dablam and Cholatse perhaps the most majestic panorama anywhere. After our Everest trek, we will establish a high camp at about 17,000′. After leaving base camp, climbers will be roped together for the glacier portions and will ascend the west face and south ridge to the summit using fixed lines where necessary.
Summit day will begin with an alpine start around midnight. It will be a long and strenuous day concluding in the mid afternoon back at base camp with hot drinks and a hot meal. For this day, you will appreciate every moment of prior training.
Prior experience in mountaineering is required. To be considered you must submit a short resume detailing your alpine experience. Your cost below also includes an MLI snow skills practice day where we will go over the skill elements needed on the climb. This event is usually held in January or February.
The Kumari Project – 4 days
Kumari is a region west of Katmandu. It is composed of steep hills reaching to about 6,000 feet. The people survive off of the food that they grow. In this community where germ theory is still unheard of, there are many medical issues yet to be understood and addressed.
Our main thrust in this project is to provide medical care and health education to the community. We are looking for nurses and doctors that are willing to lend their skills to meet the needs of Kumari. We are also looking for individuals who have a passion forteaching kids the basics of hygiene and health. This will be done in a very interactive setting with games, pictures and friendships that will forever impact your life.
Background
There is an estimated 75% lung disease rate attributed to the lack of chimneys in houses where all of the cooking occurs. There are also high rates of prolapsed uterus, birth complications, ghiardia and infections.
Education is the key to changing the short life expectancy rate and the numerous preventable diseases that come from contaminated water sources and poor waste management.During the past five years, Jagat Lama and HEN have developed a water system from a spring two kilometers above the clinic site.
The first building his team built was a women’s skill center, where women learn how to sew (with machines), manage money and other ways to provide for their families. Jagat has also just completed the second school for the region. Currently, he is working to complete the much needed health clinic.
In this project, we are here to support Jagat and his work. Having a strong western education and a board of international supporters, Jagat has made dramatic improvements in the life expectancy of this community
To get to Kumari, we will travel by Land Cruisers for about six hours. This journey will take us through rice paddies, potato fields and rhododendron forests. This time of year, it is often, hot, smokey and humid with temperatures in the eighties to nineties and cooler in the evenings. Water and food will be provided by Jagat and his team.
The Story of Jagat
The news pommeled Jagat; “Your father has fallen.”
Jagat Lama was working as a porter in Nepal and had a long way to go to reach his father in his village of Kumari. His father had fallen while working in the hills around the small village. The nearest medical care required a nine hour walk. However, when Jagat and his brothers considered carrying their father on their shoulders they knew the trip would take much longer.
Time had run out for Jagat’s father. He turned to his son and said “Jagat, you be a good man and try to help the remote people get
medical treatment. Let them not die like me.” Jagat wept as he held his father in his arms. If only there had been medical care available.
Against incredible odds, Jagat held firm to his father’s dying wish. For years, Jagat dreamed and worked towards building a hospital in the village of Kumari.
Help Tell the Story
In April, 2013 an MLI expedition will be traveling with Jagat and his trekking company on an expedition to Everest Base Camp and ultimately to climb 20,035 Lobuche East. As we travel on this adventure, we will be hearing the story of Jagat and his vision of bringing medical care to the marginalized people of Kumari.
The expedition will begin with the team spending one week in the village of Kumari supporting Jagat in the building and educating process of health care.
Jagat donates up to fifty percent of the money raised through his trekking company to this project but it is not enough. Health and Eductation for Nepal (HEN) a non-profit organization, has also been started to support the Kumari project. HEN and MLI believe that we can make a difference so that people can live who would otherwise die like Jagat’s father.
Details
The full Expedition includes:
A. Humanitarian work in Kumari (4 days)
B. Everest Base Camp Trek (18 days)
C. Optional summit attempt of 20,025 Lobuche East
Expedition dates: March 17 to April 10
Total days in Nepal: 23Everest Base Camp Trek cost $2,999
Everest Base Camp Trek with Lobuche East Summit attempt $3219(Price includes food, lodging, guides, porters and transportation within Nepal during the expedition. Price does not include international airfare. We will arrange group airfare. )