Himalayan Diary -- Empowering local communities to drive economic and social advances in Himalayan Nepal

Mon 21 Dec -- Rural Nepal is so traditional and underdeveloped, and yet potential for sustainable development is guaranteed given the wealth and diversity of agricultural and touristic resources. Only issue: the patent lack of infrastructures -- there are litterally no praticable roads, electric and phone grids outside Kathmandu -- has refrained economic and social development in the country-side. As a results, rural populations are left underpriviledged, with remote school access for children and most often no healthcare ... Beyond Peaks is working with NGOs and local entrepreneurs to implement most promising sustainable development projects. The potential for locally-driven economic and social advances are huges, let s enable them!

Tues 15 Dec -- If the himalaya is the roof-top of the world, Pokhara has prime position in front of the porch that opens to the magnificent amphitheatre of rock and ice of the Annapurna Sanctuary. Sylvie, Kate, Marcelo, Antoine and I laced up our boots and experienced the hike in rice paddies and leads through a gorge of bamboo and forests to end among glaciers and soaring peaks surrounding the Annapurna South Base Camp, at 4130m. Highlights include views of fish-tailed Machhapuchhare and stays in ancetral Gurung farmers. Not to mention the joy of lazing by Pokhara's lake with juicy steaks and chilled-out bars :)

Mon 30 Nov -- Who discovers buddhism usually finds fascinating the strange spectacle of a atheist religion and an atheism that aim to reach an Absolute. In Nepal, religion is not just a set of beliefs and accompanying rituals handed down from generation to generation; rather it is a complex system of traditions, festivals, faiths and doctrines that have permeated every strata of the Nepalese society in such a way as to become the very heartbeat of the nation.
From the Himalayan highlands to Lumbini, via Kathmandu mystical sites, buddhism is pervasively present in Nepal, which offer plainty of opportunities to investigate buddhist philosophy and culture.

Mon 02 Nov -- We summitted Mera Central (6467m, Normal route North slopes, F) on October 16 and Baruntse (7158m, South East ridge, AD-) on October 26! Although the technical difficulties on the Baruntse were significantly lowered by the continuous presence of fixed ropes --so many commercial teams this year :( --, it was such a great team effort and achievement to summit all four and simultaneously !!! The team is now trekking back to civilisation: Dan, Geoff and Kieran are racing to Kathmandu; while Jeff is pacing through Solu-Kumbhu, getting a feeling for the Sherpa region.

Mon 05 Oct -- Gone into thin air ... Dan, Geoffroy, Jeff and Kieran are now gone for 45 days trekking and climbing through and atop great himalayan landscapes and summits. Our journey will take us on the scary flight to Lukla, atop the Mera Peak into the Makalu-Barun National Park, up the Hongo Khola toward the Baruntse Base Camp for a 10 days summit siege. Our summit attempt is via the West Face / South East ridge (AD, 2 high camps) on Alpine style, ie. light and in autonomy. (detailed routing on the "Climbing Plans in the Himalaya" note). On our way down, we will pass by the Everest Base Camp, and hope to meet our climbing friends Manon and co., Fabrice and Sophie, Maria and Alex on their expeditions to Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu and Baruntse East-side.Our solid and jovial team promises to achieve every effort for success and enjoy every moment of this amazing mountaineering experience :)

Sun 04 Oct -- Last day in Kathmandu. We had full & fun days here, between logistic sessions with Rinchen, cultural ventures with Luke & Tomi, lovely evening with Pragya & friends ... Smiles and wilds fully enjoyed !!! The team took most of last rests, last steaks, last beers ... Before leaving Kathmandu charming and vibrating atmosphere. Tomorrow morning.

Thu 01 Oct -- At last, the Beyond Peaks Sustainable Mountaineering Baruntse Expedition team is complete here in Katmandu! Today we all met with Rinchen to conclude formalities. Although everything is set - more so on Rinchen side than ours - the usual tidious discussions on logistics took off :)At day -3 to expedition start, we have some time to wonder around Kathmandu, get a taste of local life and meet people ... Exciting! Excited!

Mon 28 Sep -- This week was the time for final expedition preparations with Rinchen Sherpa, our agent from South Asia Trekking who deals with Nepalese tidious administrative matters and supplies logistics. Sherpa by ancestry, Rinchen is a proper himalayan inhabitant: reserved, dedicated, trustful. Well, much more likely to indicate us useful mountain tips than best bars in town ...As most things were sorted for the expedition, I then took time to check out local (night-) life before my friends arrive -as of tomorrow :)

Tues 22 Sep -- Take off to Kathmandu, Kingdom of Nepal. Jeff flies first and will be soon joined by Dan, Geoffroy and Kieran. Except for Dan who has already climbed in Nepal, this trip will be a first time discovery of Himalayan great peaks and their legendary fumes. Hereby, a view that we expect to have from the summit of Baruntse: the Everest and Lhotse blown by October jet-streams ...

Favourite Readings:

* Ascent of the Rum Doodle, W. E. Bowman, 1956
* From Microsoft to Changing the World, John Wood
* Into Thin Air, Jon Krakauer
* Makalu - Expedition in die Stille, H. & D. Warth, 1980 (featuring Rinchen Sherpa's father)
* Nepal Himalaya H.W. Tilman, 1951
* Sommets du Nepal, les plus belles ascencions, Jean Annequin & Paul Grobel* The Death Zone, Matt Dickinson, 1997
* The Snow Leopard, Peter Matthiessen, 1978
* Three Cups of Tea, Greg Mortenson, 2006
* Trekking Peaks of Nepal, Bill O'Connor
* Toughing It Out, David Hempleman Adams, 1997