Increase safety and incomes for Nepal climbers

Summary

At our climbing school, Nepali students are taught mountain safety, English, technical mountain climbing skills, and emergency medicine. The outcome is safer expeditions and higher wages for guides.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Work in the high peaks of the Himalaya is very dangerous. Hired as climbing guides, cooks, porters and other support positions on high altitude Asian and Western expeditions, the Sherpas of Nepal have the highest mortality rate of any nationality. The goal of the Khumbu Climbing School is to increase the safety margin of Nepali climbers and high altitude workers by encouraging responsible climbing practices in a supportive and community-based program.

How will this project solve this problem?

Started in 2003 and operating in January during the climbing off season, the Khumbu Climbing School has taught 161 students. Each year, a climbing lesson video in Nepalese has been produced on site and distributed free throughout the Khumbu region.

Potential Long Term Impact

The KCS helps the Sherpa mountain community in Nepal by educating them in various ways that will enhance their lives and their livelihoods. Well-trained Sherpas are worth more on Western expeditions and these skills are passed on to future generation

Project Message

As guests to the Himalaya, we owe something to our hosts. Sherpas suffer the brunt of the mountains’ wrath. By offering the KCS training program, we hope to reduce the mortality ratio.
- Conrad Anker, Climber, VP and Board Member of ALCF, Director of the KCS

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).

Resources