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Now offering expeditions to Africa and Aconcagua
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¿ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ?
We welcome you to visit our new Frequently Asked Questions website. There is more thorough information about each trip, slideshows, photo galleries, video clips and much more. Thank you.
We enjoy answering questions, and discussing our favourite topic : MOUNTAINS. This seems to be the best way for all of us to understand one another's expectations. Please ask as many questions as possible and contact us directly: Info@summitclimb.com and Info@summittrek.com
For your convenience, we have organized the questions into the following categories. Please "click" on an item below to go to that section. However, please be sure to read, understand and ask further questions about ALL of the items below. Thank you.
Would you like to contact us directly? : Info@summitclimb.com and Info@summittrek.com
*!*please
read carefully*!* An informed team member is the best possible team member.
Please carefully read through, understand, ask questions about, discuss and come
to agreement with all of the information in our websites, brochures,
applications and waiver materials before joining our team. We encourage you to
ask as many questions about the following points as possible, and invite
detailed discussion with you. We always love to talk about our favorite topic:
MOUNTAINS. Thank you, and we await your reply.
* How
shall I find out more about the expeditions?
Be sure to read and understand the specific web page for each trip, and read and
familiarize yourself with all of the information contained in the entire website,
application and waiver forms. Please be sure to study the
NEWS page, where we post updates and the latest information. Additionally, we encourage
dialogue, questions, and enjoy discussions of mountaineering. Please submit your
ideas, comments, suggestions, and questions to us by "clicking" the
CONTACT
link above. You can assist us to provide better information, to address your
concerns, to learn from one another, and to build the best team possible, in
order to meet your requirements, and to continue our long tradition of running
safe and successful expeditions.
* Is this a guided trip? No. We are friendly and highly experienced expedition leaders, climbers, and organizers, with a 12+ year track record of building high-quality, safe, friendly and fun climbing teams and safely placing our team members on the summit and getting them back down succesfully. Our leaders and our top team of sherpas are some of the most qualified Himalayan mountain specialists available. They are there to ensure (for our full-service members) that you make it up to the summit and down safely. However, this is not a guided expedition (although we are glad to assist you in hiring your own personal guide, sherpas, etcetera), and you are not expected to be a "client". This is a team effort, and members are requested to try to share equally in the tasks, within their abilities; including an equal chance at the summit for everyone in the team.
* Who will be leading the expedition? During the full-service expedition, you will benefit from the leadership provided by Felix Berg, Arnold Coster, Jeffrey Justman, Daniel Mazur, Jon Christian Otto, Jay Reilly, Elselien te Hennepe and Ryan Waters, or one of our other highly experienced leaders. For example, one of our leaders, Daniel Mazur, has been a climber-leader-organizer of Everest, K2, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho-Oyu, Manaslu, Shishapangma, Gasherbrum1, Gasherbrum 2, Ama Dablam, Pumori, Lakpa Ri, Mustagata, and has reached the summits of 7 "eight-thousand-metre peaks". Additionally he has lead and organized 12 "eight-thousand-metre-peak expeditions". He is a relaxed, friendly and well organized person, and a highly-skilled professional with 25 years experience in getting people to the summit and back down with the highest attention to safety. For more about our leaders, please "click" on the Leadership link above. Are you interested in becoming a leader? If so, please visit our new Leaders-In-Training Website. Thank you. back
* How can I meet the leader(s) of the expedition? We encourage you to meet with the expedition leader(s) during our Lecture Tour. Each year our leaders tour the world and present slide and video lectures detailing their recent climbs. Please enquire as to the possibility of hosting or attending such a presentation in your area. In addition, we encourage you to participate in one of our Glacier Schools, held during June, July, August, and September, where you can meet and climb together with the leader(s).
*
What sort of experience should I have?
Our goal is to work
together as a team so that all members reach the top safely. We do not expect
you to be expert (although some members are) but, nor are we a
climbing school (although we do conduct one or two days of training at the beginning of each
expedition). If you need fundamental technical
training, and snow and ice experience, we urge you to participate in our
GLACIER SCHOOL
For our Glacier-School and all climbs, team members are expected to be able to care for themselves and others in a winter-camping and climbing environment. Obviously, when climbing the highest mountains in the world, there are hazards present, and members must have knowledge of roped rock and ice, and winter-condition climbing and descending techniques (to protect from falling down the mountain or into crevasses), including placing and retrieving anchors, belaying, abseiling, and glacier rescue. It is also required that all members will have an awareness of altitude sickness, HAPE, HACE, frostbite, and the recognition of their symptoms, prevention, and treatment. Once traveling above advanced basecamp, all members must be prepared to be roped to another team member at all times. Neither solo climbing, nor descending, are allowed above advanced basecamp.
For Ama Dablam, please be able to follow, ascend, and descend unlimited pitches of moderate “scrambling” and occasional very short pitches up to “British Severe” or North American 5.6, while wearing your plastic boots and gloves.
Below 7600 metres, you should be very fit and healthy, with experience and knowledge of all winter climbing techniques.
Above 8000 metres, you should have previously climbed on a high mountain.
* Where can I obtain the experience I need to qualify? If you do not already have the necessary experience, whether you are a beginner, novice, intermediate or expert, we encourage you to join in.
1. We recommend that you begin with a look at our websites and literature, and read a book about mountain climbing, to familiarize yourself with the basics of ropes, anchors, clothing, etcetera (Freedom of the Hills is one such title). You should attend a "climbing-class" an "adventure-centre" or a "rock-gym" in your home town, where you can learn the basics of "how-to-tie-in", handle the rope and harness and carabiner and descender/abseil-rappel device, and see if you enjoy the thrill of safe climbing and cautious descending on a rope. Or, perhaps you can have a climbing-friend show you the basics.
2. We suggest you meet with us personally to view videos and slides and listen to dialogues about our previous expeditions, and learn about our teams, staff, see the equipment in action, study the routes, etcetera. Please visit our LECTURE site to view our upcoming lecture schedule, or you are welcome to visit us personally.
3. Next, you may wish to join one of our Glacier-Schools, where you will be able to hire and purchase the necessary equipment inexpensively, if you do not have it already. You will have an opportunity to experience for yourself: snow-camping, ice-climbing, glacier-travel, crevasse-rescue, rope-anchors, rope-ascending, rope-descending, and summiting peaks of moderate altitude (4000 metres, 12,000 feet) in glacial conditions.
4.
Now, if you are fit and healthy, you could be ready for a climb of a mid-size
Himalayan peak such as
5.
Finally, if you feel ready, you might want to try one of the world's fourteen
highest "8000 metre peaks", such as
Everest,
Lhotse,,
Shishapangma,
or
Cho-Oyu
* How
healthy and fit do I need to be? To participate in this
expedition you must be a very
fit and active winter-walker or climber in good health.
Is there an age limit? The oldest trekker we have had is 79 years old. The oldest summiter we have had is 65 years old, on Ama Dablam. We notice that people who are older may need more rest, acclimatization, and a careful attention to nutrition and hydration, and they can certainly benefit from a personal sherpa if not at least a "quarter-share" sherpa. Any one of any age should gain from being helped by these hard-working stalwarts, and the older you are the more likely the benefit might become.
For further information about Sherpas, Personal Sherpas, and a Quarter-Share-Sherpa, would you please visit: http://summitclimb.com/faq.htm#sherpas
We don’t want to sound pessimistic,
rather we strive for realism, but there may be a certain debacle in encouraging
climbers who are older. All of us, no matter what age, race, or gendre, can push
ourselves beyond our limits and "hit the wall", become exhausted, etcetera.
Let's face up to it, the "wall" might come up a bit more rapidly for those of us
who are a bit older, than for the youngsters in our midst. Its important to be
well trained physically and mentally, and know how to maintain one's health and
stamina throughout the climb, whether its climbing up, preparing meals and
drinks and filling water bottles in the camps, or climbing safely back down the
mountain. Sometimes its good to have an extra hand round, like a personal sherpa,
who will carry the load and remain focused on you and your health, nutrition and
hydration.
* Must I carry a heavy rucksack? No. Our expedition includes transport of all of your equipment from Kathmandu to basecamp or advanced basecamp, and returned to Kathmandu (but not in the case of Mustagata, which is in China). While climbing on the mountain, we DO NOT ask our full-service members to carry heavy group equipment (although it is an option if you really want to), such as tents, rope, fuel, food, etcetera. We employ climbing sherpas, and high-altitude porters, to carry group equipment and supplies. For a minimal expense, we can also provide personal sherpas, and climbing-guides, to individual members who wish to have their own private sherpa or personal climbing-guide.
* What sort of training will I need to pursue? You should exercise regularly, with one hour or more of cardiovascular exercise three or four times each week. It is a good idea to do one long-session of training each week, for 2-3 hours. Also, you should be doing regular exercises designed to train your entire body, such as rock-climbing, situps, pullups, pressups, etcetera. You may wish to carry a light rucksack (less than 10 kilos) during some of your sessions. The best form of training is walking, running, and climbing up and down hills and crags carrying a light rucksack. If you live in a very flat place, you may wish to walk and run up and down stairs, viewing stands, bleachers, etcetera. Be sure to take at least one rest day each week. If you are climbing up and down large hills or many flights of stairs, we encourage you to carry water on the way up, then empty it before descending, in order to save your knees. Please be careful not to over-train, as each season, some members arrive with sprains and strains and injuries they acquired from training-related injuries. We need you to be 100 percent healthy and fit when you arrive, so please be careful, cautious, and very sensible as you prepare.
According to Ben Palmer, qulaified
level III fitness trainer: In order to adequately train for your trip you should
aim to work out 3 to 4 times a week for between 40 minutes and an hour and a
half each time. You should expect to work hard, and try to keep your heart quite
high and your breathing quite heavy. You should always consult
your doctor before starting a rigorous exercise plan.
Utilising both gym equipment and the great outdoors will also give you an
advantage. You should try to get at least half of your workouts done outside.
This could include running (Run up stairs and hills too!) and cycling, but above
all should be fun! Hillwalking and climbing with a pack weighing 5-10Kilos is
essential. Don't forget
to spend time directly working the muscles of the legs, back and shoulders, and
remember that your own body weight can be just as effective as weights!
Adequate rest and a well balanced diet are also essential to avoid injury and
illness before the expedition. You should aim to get at least 8 hours sleep per
night, and eat a minimum of 3 nutritious meals a day. Don't forget that you will
sweat a lot when you train, so try to drink at least 2 litres of water a day, in
addition to other drinks like tea, juice, coffee, evening beverages, etcetera.
For more information on how to train for the expedition or for a detailed
exercise regime contact Ben on +44 (0) 7974 305847 or email him at ben@benpalmerfitness.co.uk
Ben qualified through Premier Global. He is a Level III Personal Trainer (The
highest currently available in the Uk) and has been running his own successful
personal
training business for four years now. back
* What sort of safety precautions are to be taken? BOTH full-service and basic expeditions are allowed access to our extensive medical supplies, first-aid kits, medical oxygen, a gamow bag, climbing ropes and anchors. Our methods and equipment used in expedition climbing and trekking are time-tested over more than 20 years. We do not spare expense and have a complete range of equipment and very in-depth knowledge and experience in the use of lead and fixing ropes, rock-ice-snow anchors, rescue equipment, communications equipment, full-climbing equipment for safe ascent and descent, cookers, fuels, cooking equipment, proper and nutritious foods, hydration supplies and techniques, a vast array of tents, high-altitude camping equipment, and the best oxygen equipment available. We have more than 1000 kilos of the highest standard equipment available in storage locally in Nepal, Tibet, and China. Our philosophy is one of "It is better too bring too much than not enough". We believe that this is one of the key factors in our long tradition of successful ascents. back
*
Who are the other team members? Members are men and women from around the world
(ages 21 and up) who enjoy touring, walking, climbing, camping, and being
in the mountains with friends. Our youngest member was age 20, and our oldest 78
years of age. The average age is 36,
with many members in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. We have neither a lower nor an upper limit on
group size. The average group has probably been 12 people, with half of all
expeditions having less, and half having more members.
* How
do we decide who we will be climbing and camping with during the expedition?
* Will I be sharing a room or tent with anyone? In basecamp and advanced basecamp, WE PROVIDE YOUR OWN PERSONAL TENT, WHICH DOES NOT HAVE TO BE SHARED. Most members prefer a single room while in Kathmandu. Our trek-tents and high-altitude tents are based on sharing. back
* How can I
meet the other members of the expedition?
Quite often, during our lecture tours, we organize meets of our team-members.
Please enquire as to the possibility of this in your area. Also, in our
*
How can I speak with people who have been previous members and may be joining
again? Please refer to the
following lists of prior members, and contact them. Please send our best
regards when you do! Thank you very much.
Prior Member List for UK or Europe and World-citizens. Prior Member List for US-citizens.
When you are finished, please return here to the "Questions and Answers" page. Thank you.
* Will there be Sherpas? Yes. All of our full-service expeditions include sherpas for the group. We hire Sherpas and high altitude porters in a support capacity, and now have 23 of these very experienced, friendly, strong, helpful, and loyal people on our staff, including some of Nepal and Tibet's best climbers and some of Nepal's only women Sherpas. Some of our Sherpas have been to the summit of Everest more than 7 times. One of our lady sherpas just became the first Nepalese woman to reach the summit of Ama Dablam, Pumori, and Cho Oyu. Many of our sherpas have personally assisted foreign climbers to the summits of more than ten of the highest peaks in the Himalaya, and Everest as many as six times. During our expedition they will be carrying group equipment such as tents, rope, food, and gas. They are also there to assist in any rescues, so the other team members do not have to give up their summit attempt to rescue a sick member. back
For
those who do not wish to carry their own rucksack, or prepare their own meals
and drinks above advanced basecamp, we offer personal-private Sherpas (or, you
may wish to share one with another member), at
minimal additional cost.
The
above costs of hiring your own personal-private Sherpa include their equipment,
food, accommodation, clothing, permits, visas, transport, and insurance. The
above prices do not include oxygen, nor do they include gratuities summit bonus and tips.
On Everest,
f
* Who will be organizing the expedition? Your expedition is organized by our British, European, American, Nepalese, Tibetan, and Chinese staff working in your home-country as well as on-the-ground together with our in-country agencies, government mountaineering offices, liaison officers, yak drivers, porter leaders, Sherpas, individual staff, basecamp managers, suppliers, and transport personnel. For example, one of our lead organizers is the very experienced Jon Christian Otto, fluent Chinese speaker, Tibet and China expert, with ten years experience in Chinese Himalayan climbing. Jon is an excellent communicator, an international diplomat, extremely well organized, with superb attention to each and every detail. For more about Jon, please "click" on the Leadership link above. back
* Who are the staff of the expedition? Our staff are made up of more than 23 Sherpas, in addition to ethnic Tibetans, Uighurs, Tadzhiks, and many others. In each Himalayan region we visit, we do our best to hire the local indigenous people who inhabit that area. We believe in trying to help out the local people. Our very loyal and hard-working staff is made up of porters, yak-drivers, guides, basecamp managers, wait staff, kitchen assistants, cooks, high-altitude porters, high-altitude climbing-sherpas, bus, truck, and jeep drivers, local agents, tour-operators, and government liaison officers and ministry officials. back
* What is the difference between "Full-Service" and "Basic-Climb?
* What does the "Full-Service" price include?
| 1. | An experienced Leader, from Britain, Europe or the US, who is an accomplished Himalayan mountaineering professional; |
| 2. | An experienced Organizer who arranges all of the permits, liaison officer, and all other services included in the trip; |
| 3. | Climbing Sherpas for the group. Personal-private Sherpas may be hired at minimal expense; |
| 4. | Transport to basecamp to/from Kathmandu, for you and equipment, including domestic flights where applicable, and camping or lodge accommodation and meals on the road and on trek; |
| 5. | Yak, porter, and plane (where applicable) transport of all equipment from the road to and from advanced basecamp; |
| 6. | Three meals per day and plenty of hot drinks on the road, on trek, in basecamp and advanced basecamp. Comfortable tables and chairs and dining tent; |
| 7. | Skillful basecamp and advanced basecamp cooks; |
| 8. | All mountain, basecamp and advanced basecamp food; |
| 9. | All permit fees, including peak climbing fees, and liaison officers; |
| 10. | Use of group gear and supplies: rope, ice, rock, and snow anchor protection; basecamp and altitude tents; cookers, fuel, high-altitude food, walkie-talkie radios, satellite telephone, etcetera; |
| 11. | Emergency equipment and supplies: medical oxygen, gamow bag, basecamp medical kit, high-altitude medical kits, etcetera; |
| 12. | In addition to our top-quality high-altitude tents, we now provide an individual tent (1 tent per person) in basecamp. |
*
What is not included in the
"Full Service" price? International
flights, hotels and meals in Kathmandu, personal clothing and equipment
(sleeping bag, boots, ice axe, etc.), personal sherpas, personal climbing
oxygen, visas, vaccinations, health, travel and
rescue insurance, personal snack-energy food, gratuities, drinks on the road or
in town, expenses of a personal nature, personal changes to the pre-planned
itinerary, and expenses while traveling away from the group or leader. Not
included are unexpected expenses, such as expenses due to emergencies,
accidents, rescues, weather, itinerary changes, political situations, terrorism,
crime, transport delays, etc. This is not an exhaustive list, and is written
specifically for our full-service expeditions.
* What does the "Basic-Climb" price include? Note: the "Basic-Climb" services are different in Nepal and Tibet and China.
| 1. | An experienced Coordinator from our company may be present during the climb, perhaps leading one of our Full Service teams; |
| 2. | An experienced Organizer who arranges all of the permits, liaison officer, and all other services included in the basic climbs; |
| 3. | All permit fees, including peak climbing fees, as well as liaison officers; |
| 4. | For Basic Climbs in Tibet: transport to basecamp to/from Kathmandu, for your personal equipment only (boots, ice axe, clothing, sleeping bag), including accommodation and meals on the road; |
| 5. | For Basic Climbs in Tibet: yak transport of your personal equipment only (boots, ice axe, clothing, sleeping bag), from the road to and from advanced basecamp; |
| 6. | Emergency equipment and supplies: medical oxygen, gamow bag, basecamp medical kit, high-altitude medical kits, etcetera; |
| 7. | Access to team fixed ropes and camps (sites, not tents), coordinated with our own "full-service" climbing team. |
| 8. | Other necessary services and supplies (ie: extra yaks, trek services, basecamp meals, high altitude services and equipment), may be purchased and hired at minimal expense. We offer basic climb "packages" as noted on the specific website for each trip, or, we can furnish individual items such as tents, stoves, gas, food, etcetera. |
* I would like to purchase the Basic Climb, and a few extra services. How much are these? We encourage you to "pick-and-choose" the services you would like us to provide. When you study the Basic Climb part of our website, and go to each specific trip dossier, you will see a list of additional services and the cost, listed beneath "What the basic climb includes". back
*
How shall I join the team? Please
email us your postal address, email address, and
telephone number on the
CONTACT
page (which will remain
absolutely confidential, as we never share your postal nor email addresses/phone numbers
or any of your personal details with anyone).
Please print out your brochure from here on the website, then carefully read all of the
associated information here on the website, make sure you understand and discuss
it with us, then
complete, sign, and post the attached forms, and additional required documents
immediately. Include your 10 percent refundable deposit, passport photocopy
(name printed on reverse), 2 passport size photos, and proof of insurance.
Registration Forms for UK or Europe and World-citizens. Registration Forms for US-citizens.
* How shall I pay? We accept credit card, cheque, electronic bank transfer, cash, traveler's cheque, etcetera. You can post us cheques, pay in cash on arrival (initial payment required), send a bank wire (details are in the registration forms), etcetera. If you wish to pay via credit or debit card, please go to the CONTACT page and scroll down to the bottom, where you will see a "Credit Card" link.
Note when paying by credit card: We do accept credit card payments via www.Paypal.com . Its easy, fun, and safe to use Paypal throughout the world. About 25 percent of our members now pay with their credit card through Paypal. Our email address for Paypal is info@summitclimb.com . If you are considering using Paypal, and have never used it before, please sign-up early, as it takes a little more time. back
* Why are the prices of these trips low? We are dedicated to a philosophy of encouraging mountaineering by keeping costs to a minimum and welcome team members who are willing to share in achieving our objectives. All of our European, British, or US staff and leaders began their Himalayan climbing careers as paying team members. Thus, we never charge more for a trip than we would be willing to pay ourselves. We have excellent and generous relations with the government authorities who regulate the world of mountain climbing permits, liaison officers, yak drivers, etcetera. Additionally, our staff of more than 23 Sherpas are very long term, loyal, hard-working, and honest employees. We take good care of our staff and their families, and they work for a fair wage in return for steady employment. We help our Sherpa's families in many ways, and have been building schools and hospitals in their villages, and helping to protect their local environments for many years. Our agents and local on-the-ground operators are also very long term employees and they provide services at a minimal cost, in return for a fair-market-compensation and our return business, year-after-year. We receive corporate sponsorship and we do not print expensive colour brochures. This is not a luxury expedition. Our equipment and methods are basic, simple, and proven over more than 25 Himalayan expeditions. We re-use our equipment and re-hire our staff over many expeditions. Our food is well prepared, abundant, and nutritious, but we do not use expensive imported foods. back
* When must I decide? Please post your 10% refundable deposit now, to reserve your membership in our team. If you decide not to go, we send your money back. Complete your payment two months prior to departure. back
*
What if I decide to cancel my membership? If
you decide to cancel your membership, your payment will be refunded according to
the refund policy contained in the registration forms. We urge you to purchase
cancellation insurance whenever possible.
*
Is there a chance this trip will be cancelled?
We have not cancelled a trip before. If we decide to cancel the trip,
100 percent of your payment shall be
returned.
* May I have a discount? Yes, and you may combine these discounts for LARGE SAVINGS. We offer the following discounts:
5% for returning members;
5% for groups of 2-3 people, 10% for 4-8 people, 15% for 9 or more;
Leader Training Discounts for aspiring expedition leaders. Please scroll down to: Leaders-in-training.
5% cash "referral-fee" for telling your friends, and larger commissions for recommending a group, or multiple referrals in the same calendar year;
5%
trip-combination
discounts. For example, climb Lakpa-Ri, then climb Everest, and receive a 5%
discount on both!
10% medical practitioner's discount. We encourage medical practitioners to join our teams, and
offer a ten percent discount (in addition to those mentioned above). We
understand that medical practitioners who join us are climbers, and will be focused on
ascending and descending the mountain safely, rather than staffing some kind of
"base-camp surgery". All of our leaders are highly skilled and experienced in
prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of altitude related illness and general
illness and injury. However, it is sometimes reassuring to have a medical
professional as a team member, in order to provide an occasional consultation.
* May I bring a climbing partner, group, and tell my friends and colleagues? Yes, please do so. We offer a 5% discount for groups of 2 to 3, 10% for 4 to 8, 15% for 9 to 15, and 20% for 16 or more. We also offer a 5% cash "finders-fee", paid to you for each of your friends and colleagues who become a member of our team. back
* If I tell my friends or a lot of people about your services, am I entitled to a cash payment or a large commission? Yes. Often, someone is well-placed as a guide, lecturer, eminent community figure, travel agent or tour operator, etcetera. We are glad to offer increasing commissions based on multiple referrals to any of our various trips and classes in any calendar year:
5% commission for the first 1,2, and 3 people who you refer;
10% commission for the next 4-8 people you refer;
15% for the next 9-15 people;
20% for 16 or more.
If you were able to send us numerous people during any calendar year, you could earn upwards of $30,000, £19,500 (GBP), €28,690 (Euro). When you send a referral to us, we note your name as the person who originally recommended the person. Even if the individual chooses to participate years later (or in several expeditions) you still receive your commission(s). This is our way of extending our gratitude and building trust, ensuring you that you will receive your commission now, and long into the future.
* What is the best way to purchase my international air ticket? We can recommend agencies and airlines that offer the lowest prices and best service.
Whether you are flying to Kathmandu or Beijing,
Flights
from US to Kathmandu currently cost
$1200-$1700. The best and least expensive routes from North America go from the
west coast over the Pacific, to Bangkok, and then to Kathmandu. Recently, we
have noted cheaper prices connecting through Hong Kong, then flying through
Bangkok to Kathmandu. It takes three
days on the way there (because you are crossing the date line), and two on the way back. Believe it or not, even if you
are on the eastern seaboard, your best bet is to avoid Delhi (expensive, slow,
and confused) and fly to the west coast of North America and through Bangkok
instead. For starters, we recommend you contact Sue at Unique Travel:
503-221-1719, or Sudesh or anyone at Himalayan Travel at:
800-223-1813. Another company you should check prices with is: Bootsnall.com
503-528-1005. They are famous for obtaining very low cost airfares and
researching complicated packages and connections. United
Airlines, connecting to Thai Airlines, is best, as is Cathay Pacific Airlines,
connecting to Thai Airlines.
For Mustagata, you may also wish to explore flying to Beijing, and Urumqi (URC). Flights from Urumqi to Kashgar will need to be arranged by our China office (until they computerize that route).
Be sure to mention that you are one of our members when you ring, as the above companies arrange quite a few of our flights and they may give a discount or provide extra baggage allowance. back
* Will someone be there to meet me at the airport? Yes and the cost is included in your registration fee. In fact, during our 2004 and 2005 expeditions, we were able to meet 100 percent of our member's scheduled flights, and bring the team to our hotel. Please make sure we have your complete flight itinerary. Upon picking up your bags and exiting the customs area and walking out into the arrivals hall, be sure to move slowly and look for the person carrying a sign with your name written upon it. Normally, this sign will bear your surname (last or family name), but occasionally they might have written your first or given name on the sign. back
*
How shall I organize my visa? Your Nepal visa is conveniently purchased by you
upon arrival at the Kathmandu airport. It is not necessary to purchase a
Nepalese visa prior to landing in Nepal. In 2003, the cost of a 60 day visa was
$40. Please bring
cash and 2 extra passport-sized photos. If your expedition takes you to Tibet,
we
provide special support to you in Kathmandu in organizing your Tibet-China visa.
* Which vaccinations and immunizations will I need? Many medical precautions are advised, including vaccinations. Please see your local tropical/travel medicine clinic, physician, or general practitioner. There are also numerous immunization resources on the internet, and one of the best is from Kathmandu's famous CIWEC Clinic: http://www.ciwec-clinic.com/immune/ Note: You can purchase all necessary medicines inexpensively with no doctor's prescription in Kathmandu, but we recommend you obtain the vaccinations in your home country. back
*
How shall I organize my mountain-climbing-trekking and travel insurances? Nearly
all developed countries have agents who offer travel and mountain climbing
insurance at a reasonable price. Full-coverage insurance is essential, because it not only covers
mountain climbing, but also travel to and from the mountain. This could cover
you for lost bags, a car accident on the way to the airport, etcetera. When you
see what high-quality insurance covers, you will realize that it is a
very good value. BEFORE PURCHASING, BE SURE TO REQUEST A COPY OF THE POLICY AND
BE SURE TO READ AND UNDERSTAND IT. Please enclose proof of insurance with
your final team-membership payment. If you are one of the unfortunates who
come from a country where such insurance is not available, we will accept an authorization letter and your credit card. You must
be covered for travel, full domestic rescue, helicopter (where available) and
international rescue and repatriation expenses. NO INSURANCE, or NO CREDIT CARD
AUTHORIZATION = NO EXPEDITION MEMBERSHIP.
In the UK, more and more of our members are finding less expensive insurance from Endsleigh. We also encourage you to compare prices to the cover offered by the British Mountaineering Council in Manchester on: 0161 445 4500. If you are in France or Germany, the CAF and DAV both provide cover. You may need additional "travel-insurance", from such companies as Columbus, Council, or STA which covers lost or stolen bags in transit, and other travel mishaps.
In the UK,
An adequate and inexpensive travel policy may be available in your country from http://www.statravel.com/cps/rde/xchg/us_division_web_live/hs.xsl/worldwide.htm . You will see from their site that they offer services in many nations. Be sure to check what the policy covers before you buy.
In
the US, your total full-coverage insurance package should cost approximately
$50-300, depending on trip duration and amount of coverage. For starters, we
recommend you contact Tim or anyone at STA Travel in Seattle: 206-329-4567. You can also email
Tim
at pug@statravel.com . Those who wish to
shop further, or have
higher incomes and/or assets to protect may also be interested in: InsureMyTrip.com, Access America, Travelex,
Travel Guard, SOS Global, etc.
IN ADDITION, WE NOW REQUIRE A CREDIT CARD AUTHORIZATION LETTER TO BE ON FILE WITH OUR KATHMANDU OFFICE IN CASE OF A HELICOPTER OR OTHER RESCUE (where applicable). In the very rare case of an emergency, this letter authorizes our agent and rescue companies to draw upon your credit card and contact your english-speaking relative or friend who is available 24 hours per day, to urgently wire funds on your behalf. The letter is part of the forms you must sign, in order to register for the trip. Obviously, we need to be able to send a helicopter and/or special rescue jeep and rescue team immediately, in case of the unlikely event you are injured and unable to walk, or perhaps unconscious. We can't have you lying there on the snow, slowly fading away, while we telephone your insurance company and argue with them about payment. Making a claim from your insurance company is something you will do later, after you are home safely, and if you have purchased good insurance, they will pay promptly, within 30 days of you reporting the claim, upon presentation of the correct receipts and reports documenting the rescue. View the credit card authority letter. Please come back when you are done.
* What are the risks of sustaining an injury or dieing during the climb? Only in extremely rare cases do such things happen, but, lets be honest, risks are present when climbing the highest mountains in the world. However, experts will tell you that your chances of being involved in an auto-accident on the way to or from the airport might be greater than during the actual climb itself. BE SURE TO PURCHASE GOOD QUALITY CLIMBING AND TRAVEL INSURANCE. back
* What if I need a rescue? In case of emergency, God forbid, our leader and Sherpas would help apply first aid, provide medicines and assistance with our medical oxygen, and "Gamow-Bag", then we would transport you to basecamp, or advanced basecamp, where an evacuation would take place. In Nepal, this evacuation would be via helicopter, at your expense. In Tibet and China, no helicopters nor light aircraft are allowed, so the evacuation would be via Yak and Jeep to the nearest hospital, again, at your expense. BE SURE TO PURCHASE GOOD QUALITY CLIMBING AND TRAVEL INSURANCE. back
* Will there be a doctor present? Generally speaking, yes, a doctor will be present. We encourage doctors who climb and trek to join our teams, in return for a discount. Out of our last nine expeditions, seven had a doctor, and two had more than one doctor. However, please remember that these people are here to get away from their normal hospital routine, and have come to climb and trek, and they are not here to operate an "expedition health clinic". Our staff are highly trained and extremely experienced in diagnosing and treating illness and injury in the Himalaya, and are well equipped with extensive medical kits. back
* Where shall we stay and what shall we eat?
On
the road, during the trek, and in basecamp, all food and accommodation is included: On our full-service expeditions we provide lodging and three meals with
many hot drinks each day, on the road, during the trek, in basecamp, advanced
basecamp and on the mountain. However, this is not a luxury trip. The leader chooses simple and basic inns and
meals on route. Our equipment and tents are carefully chosen and time-tested, and used
over and over throughout many expeditions. Our well-prepared, simple, and
nutritious meals on the road, during the trek, in basecamp, and advanced
basecamp feature local cuisine and
cooks. Our skillful and hard working cooks prepare three
delicious hot meals each day with a very healthy diet of fresh vegetables, cheeses, eggs,
and fresh as well as tinned fruits, meats and fish (all meats and fish are prepared separately
out of respect for the vegetarians in our midst). They supply you with unlimited
hot-drinks, the key to successful acclimatization. We have large weather-proof
kitchens and dining tents, with comfortable chairs and tables.
High
Altitude food and fuel are included: On our full-service climbs, on the mountain,
above advanced basecamp, we provide you with abundant and nutritious locally
available quick-cooking food, so that you may prepare at least three meals and
lots of hot drinks each day, in our specially designed high-altitude stoves
using our butane-propane expedition mix fuel. We do not carry imported specialties such as
“freeze-dried-food”, imported tinned meats and fish, nor imported
sausages and cheeses, and we ask each member to bring their own imported daily
snack and energy foods (also a few freeze-dried meals).
We do not provide cold “snack” food such as chocolate or "energy-bars". We ask that you bring or buy your own "snack" or daily cold energy food. A growing variety of imported foods such as European and American cheeses, chocolates, biscuits, cookies, nuts, and locally made power-bars are now available in Kathmandu, at realistic prices. Many of our members, especially Britons, Europeans, and Australians with tiny baggage allowances, now purchase their daily snacks in Kathmandu.
We ask each member to provide their own daily-snacks and a few freeze dried meals. For each mountain, here are the amounts of snacks and freeze dried meals we suggest you bring:
Ama Dablam, Pumori, Lakpa-Ri, and Mustagata: 2-4 kilos of snacks and 2 freeze-dried dinners;
Everest: 3-6 kilos of snacks and 5 freeze-dried dinners;
Lhotse, Shishapangma, and Cho-Oyu: 2-5 kilos of snacks and 3 freeze-dried dinners;
In
Kathmandu and Kashgar: We
ask you to pay for your own accommodation and meals (a minimal expense) for the
few days we are in Kathmandu and kashgar. In Kathmandu there are 100s of tasty, inexpensive restaurants in the neighborhood we stay in. The choice is yours, but we recommend you stay together
with our group in the very affordable Nepa Hotel. It is in a good neighborhood,
it is a new hotel, with hot water, clean rooms, and a friendly staff. We pack
all of our expedition bags in their vast storerooms, and our offices are located
inside the hotel, so you will have instant access to our office staff at all
times. The cost is: Single Rooms: $25. You may pay in cash or with a
credit card. Let us know if you are
interested and we shall reserve a room for you. Here is a link to their website
if you would like to take a look around: http://www.hotelnepaintl.com/
* What personal equipment should I bring? Plastic Double climbing boots are required, as are good quality leather walking boots. SINGLE LEATHER BOOTS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINEERING. You will need to bring your own personal equipment, including rucksack, iceaxe, crampons, harness, helmet, down/duvet jacket, wind/waterproof clothing, sleeping bag/mat, etcetera. You will need to bring your own daily snacks ( a wide selection of snacks are readily available in Kathmandu). In addition, we ask you to bring a few of your favorite high-altitude freeze-dried dinners for yourself. All basecamp and trek meals (3 per day) are included in our full-service expeditions. We provide enough food and cooking fuel for three meals per day on the high mountain. However, we ask each member to provide their own daily-snacks and a few freeze dried meals. For each mountain, here are the amounts of snacks and freeze dried meals we suggest you bring:
Ama Dablam, Pumori, Lakpa-Ri, and Mustagata: 2-4 kilos of snacks and 2 freeze-dried dinners;
Everest: 3-6 kilos of snacks and 5 freeze-dried dinners;
Lhotse, Shishapangma, and Cho-Oyu: 2-5 kilos of snacks and 3 freeze-dried dinners;
Please see the above EQUIPMENT link, to study what is needed. If you are not familiar with the necessary equipment, we suggest you attend one of our Glacier Schools, to learn about it. back
* What will the weather and temperature be like? We really need to be prepared for all eventualities. At low elevation, the temperatures can vary from 32°c to 0°c ( 90°f to 32°f). At higher elevations, the temperature can vary from 4°c to -28°c (40°f to -20°f). The wind is the most chilling factor, and can be quite variable, with everything from a flat calm, to hurricane force on the summit. There may be deep snow, heavy rains, mosquitoes in wet areas, or blowing dust when we cross arid plains. back
* Where should I purchase my equipment?
Three of our leaders are sponsored
by equipment companies, so please do check out Jay Reilly's sponsor
for duvet down gear, and Arnold
Coster's sponsor
for clothing. Also please visit Elselien te Hennepe's sponsor IceBreaker for
layers:
.
Please return to our site when you are
finished. Thank you.
back
* How do I handle my eyeglasses/contact lens situation?
Eyeglasses can pose a problem when worn with goggles, as they may fog more
easily. A "no-fog" solution may help, as would carrying a soft cotton "bandana"
or "chamois-cloth". Make sure you bring extra pairs of eyeglasses, in case yours
become broken or lost. We encourage you to purchase prescription glacier
goggles. An adequate pair (with leather side shields) may be manufactured for
you in Kathmandu with a weeks' notice and your current prescription at a cost of
circa $40,
Do expedition members use oxygen for climbing? Yes. Especially on Everest, and about 50 percent of the time on Cho Oyu and Shishapangma, and other 8000 metre peaks. On Everest, although some climbers wish to try it without, most members will prefer to have oxygen available. Regarding oxygen, the cost is up to you. Some people want 1 bottle, others want 12. Our Sherpas will help you carry the oxygen. We 100% guarantee and certify our bottles and oxygen systems, and test them thoroughly with the mask/hose/regulator set-up. We have our own oxygen analysis instrumentation, and we are able to certify that the contents are 100% oxygen. Additionally, we are able to certify the volume of contents in the bottle. Our bottles/masks/hoses/regulators are 100 percent guaranteed and reliable. We always have spare parts and back up bottles, masks, regulators, and hoses. We have a 60% "buy-back" policy bottles on unused oxygen, and masks, hoses, and regulators in good condition. Additionally, we will buy empty cylinders in good condition from you for $60 each. Lets keep the mountains clean.
For Everest we suggest you bring five bottles.
About half of our Cho Oyu team members use oxygen. Its not like Everest where Oxygen is absolutely necessary, but some Cho-Oyu climbers like it because it gives them a little extra edge of "insurance" that they will be feeling as well as possible when resting in the high camp and on summit day. In addition, supplemental oxygen usage has been shown to markedly reduce the incidence of frostbite. Our Sherpas will help you carry the oxygen, and two four-litre bottles should be more than enough (1 might suffice), and you also need the mask, hoses, and regulator. Or, you can have the full set of five bottles plus mask-regulator-hoses.
We will
buy back any unused bottles, and the mask/hose/regulator (in good condition) for
60 percent of what you paid! Here is
the cost:
A. High-altitude climbing oxygen set (mask, regulator, and 5 large Russian 4 litre bottles, guaranteed to be in perfect working order and function perfectly together): We have a 40% "buy-back" policy on masks, regulators, and unused oxygen bottles in good condition.
If
purchased separately:
B. Mask + Hoses (guaranteed to be in perfect working order and match the bottles and regulator perfectly): We have a 40% buy-back policy on masks and hoses in good condition.
C. Regulator for high-altitude oxygen bottle (guaranteed to be in perfect working order and match the bottle and mask and hoses perfectly): We have a 40% buy-back policy on regulators in good condition.
D. One large Russian Oxygen 4 litre bottle for high-altitude climbing (guaranteed to be in perfect working order and match the regulator and mask and hoses perfectly): We have a 40% discount buy-back policy on unused oxygen bottles.
Please remember that if you are hiring your own personal sherpa to climb with you to the summit of Everest, you need to provide him with at least three bottles of Oxygen and a mask and regulator. We will buy back any of your Sherpas equipment and bottles in good condition, as well as empty bottles for 40%. .We provide all of our group sherpas with three bottles of oxygen, a mask and a regulator.
In an effort to reduce environmental pollution and encourage reuse and recycling, we now offer a $60 cash bonus for each empty oxygen cylinder you bring down to basecamp/abc in working condition. back
* What sort of equipment will the organizers bring? We provide a plethora of new, well-used, top-quality, and time-tested equipment, group gear, and supplies, including: rope, ice, rock, and snow anchor protection; basecamp, advanced basecamp and altitude tents; cookers, fuel, high-altitude food, wlkie-talkie radios, bamboo marker wands, etcetera. We now provide an individual tent for each member in basecamp, so you do not have to share. Please see the above EQUIPMENT link, to study what we bring for your use and safety. back
* What sort of telecommunications equipment will the organizers bring? Our expedition is well equipped with one "walkie-talkie" radio for each camp, and a satellite telephone for international voice telephone calls and emails (please check this before joining). back
* Will there be a website dedicated to this expedition? Normally, Yes. During our expedition, we regularly update several websites, such as EverestNews.com, with the progress of our expedition and our team members. In this way, your loved ones and friends, colleagues, and sponsors can stay tuned to how you and the team are progressing on your way up to and back down from the summit. Be sure to check this first if it is a matter of concern. back
* How much will it cost to use the satellite telephone: Members wishing to use the telephone will contribute $4 per minute of use. Not only is the phone convenient for making voice telephone calls, it is normally very easy to send and receive small emails at the rate of 1 KB (one small email) per minute. It is not possible to receive satellite phone calls. back
* How can I purchase my own satellite telephone? Most of our expeditions have satellite telephones available for use by the participants for $4 per minute. You may pay in any currency. For those members who might wish to purchase their own, it is easy to do, and contact us if you are interested in the following equipment and prices:
For all of your satellite telephone questions, please contact George Martin of EverestGear.com: http://store.everestgear.com/featured--sat-phone.html
Permit Note: Regarding our satellite telephones, we are required to purchase a satellite-phone-usage permit, to use the phone in countries such as Nepal, Tibet, China, Pakistan, India, and Central Asia. We have heard of people choosing to use the phone discretely, rather than purchase the required permit. back
* Do I need to tip our staff and sherpas? Yes. In Nepal, Tibet and China it is customary that each expedition member will make a contribution toward staff gratuities. Our staff are extremely proud of their efforts, and receiving a gratuity is a matter of the utmost honour, a mark of recognition of a job well done. The individual team member's tip contribution is generally determined by the length of the expedition:
We will "pool" these tips together and then, as a group, we will vote on the distribution of the tips to the individual staff. This method has seemed to be the fairest and has worked very well in the past. Our staff of more than 23 Sherpas is an extremely loyal and hard working group. You will be duly impressed by their level of effort and reliability. The main reason our staff are consistently some of the hardest working people in town, on trek, and on the mountain, is that they know they can rely on the generosity of our members to consistently provide a good tip. Please be sure to keep up the tradition, for future team members, as you have benefited from the reliable generosity of team members who came before you. Thank you very much. Note: the above tip data does not include the additional tip you will need to pay to your personal sherpa, in case you have chosen to hire one, or a fraction of one. back
* May I bring clothing and equipment to give to the Sherpas as gifts? Yes. Please do! Any gift of clothing or equipment you give will be regarded separately from monetary rewards. However, such clothing and equipment gifts are highly appreciated. These Sherpas rely on gifts from foreigners to keep them clothed and outfitted while trekking to and climbing the mountain. Also, Sherpa children and wives and sisters and mothers and fathers and grandmothers and grandfathers need clothing and shoes too. Please remember that sherpas come in all shapes and sizes, from children to adults. Items that are very small or very large can be traded for items that fit. There are men and women Sherpas, and they may be tall, short, extra-large, large, medium or small. The clothing and equipment you bring will be collected from you at the end of each expedition, then stock-piled by the lead staff and handed out to the Sherpas at the beginning of each expedition. In this way, we can ensure that they will actually use it during the expedition and not sell it immediately. Here is a list of items that are needed:
thermal trousers or shirts, under garments, t-shirts, cotton or wool or synthetic shirts and trousers, fleece/pile/polar shirts and trousers, warm hats, caps, scarves, bandanas, socks, mittens, gloves, duvet/down jackets, trousers, suits, shoes, sandals, boots, plastic or one-sport climbing boots, rock shoes, harnesses, carabiners, ropes, ice-axes and ice-tools, ascenders, belay/abseil devices, descenders, slings, webbing, pitons, ice-screws, rock protection, cams, helmets, sunglasses, goggles, face masks, gore-tex jackets and trousers and suits, duvet/down booties, watches, dress-up clothes and shoes, women's and children's clothing and shoes, day packs/sacks, full-size rucksacks/backpacks, kit/duffle/travel bags, tents, etcetera. back
* How do I transport my equipment to our arrival city? Most of our members carry their personal equipment and snack foods in their checked and carry-on luggage on their international flight.
In Britain, Europe, Australia, and other parts of the world, your baggage allowance may be as low as: 23 kilos of checked baggage, plus a small carry-on bag of 15 kilos (don't show the counter staff this much carry-on luggage upon check-in), for a total of 40 kilos. At times, it is possible to request a "sport baggage allowance" when booking your flight-ticket, so be sure to ask about and understand your airline's policy carefully. Obviously, those members coming from these countries will either be faced with wearing their climbing boots, helmet, duvet-clothing, etcetera onto the plane (this is normal procedure for many Australian, British, and European team-members), or paying excess baggage charges, or purchasing/hiring a portion of their equipment or daily snacks in Kathmandu, which is now becoming more and more of a viable option. If you chose to pay the airline's excess baggage charges, you might be faced with $20 per kilogram of excess. Be sure to make full telephone and email inquiries before checking your bags at the airport.
Those members flying from North America are currently allowed 2 checked bags weighing 70 pounds each, plus one small carry-on weighing 30 pounds, for a total allowance of 170 pounds, or 77 kilograms. Generally, it is possible to pay an additional $120 per extra 70 pound bag, up to a total of ten or so extra bags, on flights bound for Nepal or China, but not for flights returning from there. However, be sure to ask about such "extra-bags" policies carefully before booking, and be sure to check with ALL of the airlines on your itinerary, as some of these airlines may try to "double-charge" you. back
* How do I organize cargo shipping? If you need to ship more than your normal baggage allowance, we suggest you contact a professional shipping agent.
In England that might be SOS Air Cargo in Manchester, Colin Grierson: 0161-437-0521.
In North America, we are able to send un-insured air-cargo via Seattle to Kathmandu at the rate of $4/pound. This amount normally includes customs clearance at both ends (this price is only for Seattle to Kathmandu, as the price for Kathmandu to Seattle is $6 per pound). Before each expedition, several of our British, European, and Australian members have ordered inexpensive tax-free supplies and equipment (ie: over the web) to be delivered to our Seattle offices, and then we have cargo-shipped it with our normal expedition supplies to Kathmandu on their behalf. We will need a concise "contents-list" with any items you would like shipped.
If you do choose to use an established cargo-shipping or freight forwarding company, then you will need to provide a recipient address in Nepal, and we can help you with that. Please email us for the latest specifics about shipping to Tibet, China, Pakistan, etcetera. Your name will be on the first line of the address, and the next line will be the name of the expedition you are participating in, and the next line will be "care-of" our local agent's address in Kathmandu. Always put your name and expedition name on the first two lines, as this will clarify that you are personally using these items for climbing and they are not the property of our local agent. Upon your arrival, you will have to go to the customs bureau in that city and claim your own cargo. Our agent will help you find where to go. At that time, you will negotiate the duties you will pay with the customs authorities, in cash. Duties are charged on the amount and value of goods you have specified on your "contents list" and may appear on a "bill of lading" or "airway bill", that you wrote, back in your home country, before you shipped it. Therefore, if you decide to go with a professional shipping company, be very careful about the values you have written on the contents list, as you might have to pay ten or more percent of this amount, plus shipping cost, in order to pick up your cargo, and there may be other cash transactions between you and the authorities at the time of pick-up. back
* Can you help me to raise funds for my expedition team-membership? Yes. We are glad to share some of the ideas we have learned from previous experience. The main thing to remember is that funds are best raised within your own local community, at your workplace, school, local shopping centre, local cinema, among your own friends, family, neighbours, etcetera. Some of the most reliable long-term fundraising strategies are mentioned below:
1. Selling small items such as embroidered ties, screen-printed t-shirts, embroidered caps, embroidered day-sacks, embroidered jackets, emblazoned tea-mugs, tie-tacks, cufflinks, earrings, etcetera. Two former and current expedition members have been logo-designers and professional screen-printers and embroiderers for many years. They are Scott and Becky, and their email address is: barylski@sbcglobal.net A KEY FACTOR in this kind of fund-raising is the cost of producing the items. You should obtain costs and prices for production in Britain, Europe, the States, and Nepal. For example, the cost of producing 100 embroidered cotton "T-shirts" per item in Britain might be 5 pounds each, but in Kathmandu it would be just 2 pounds. Plan carefully how you will be marketing these items before ordering them.
2. Hosting a fundraising lecture, dance, concert, play, ball, race, car wash, or other event in your community. Many of our past and current members have used these methods. During the above events, additional funds can be raised with auctions and raffles of donated outdoor mountain equipment, etc;
3. Doing charity non-profit fundraising as part of fundraising for your team-membership. This is one of the most common ways to raise funds, and your team-membership can become a very valuable way to raise funds for important and needed charities and non profits;
4. Finding a corporate sponsor to offset costs and provide equipment in return for marketing and name recognition. This may be one large sponsor, or it might be several smaller ones. These sponsors often like to see their logo sewn on clothing, screenprinted on tents, mentioned in media stories, advertising, etc;
5. Organizing an "expedition-support-trek" to accompany you on the expedition. This can be a popular way to raise funds where the donors have an exciting experience, and you "add-on" a bit to cover your own costs and perhaps also an included donation to a selected charity;
6. Leading donors on walks, climbs, and outings in your local mountains and hills. Often overlooked, these local outings with donors may be a good way for them to get involved, meet you personally, and can be given as gifts to friends, etcetera.
7. Finding members for our expeditions. While you are busy with items 1-6 above, you may meet people who are interested to join our expeditions. When you refer members to us, who join our teams, we send you a cash commission as a "Thank You" for your efforts. If you were able to send us numerous people during any calendar year, you could earn upwards of $30,000, £15,500 (GBP), €24,690 (Euro). One could imagine living comfortably on such an income, while meeting new friends in the mountains.
8. We do provide assistance with managing funds your sponsors provide. It is often the case that a large sponsor will not pay you the funds directly, rather, they insist the funds be sent to us. Perhaps they are concerned that the monies might be used incorrectly if they were sent to you, so sending the money to us ensures that funds are used only for the expedition. Whatever the case, in case your sponsor has "overpaid" us, by sending more monies than are required, we can reimburse you by posting you a cheque, making a deposit into an account you designate, etcetera. back
* I would like to raise funds for a charity or non-profit as part of my participation in this expedition. Can you help me? Yes, we are very active in charity non-profit support and participate in quite a bit of fund-raising and support many charities through our lecture tours. Please "click" on the CHARITY and LECTURE buttons in order to learn more. Many of our members participate in raising funds for these charities and non-profits (as well as others). These charities help a lot of poor people and threatened environments throughout the world, and are 100 percent reliant on hard-working people like you to help, and could not exist without you. If you are interested, you may wish to host one of our expedition leaders as a speaker at your local venue, or on a lecture tour, ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. Also, you might wish to present your own lecture to your own group, in order to raise funds for a charity, in conjunction with raising funds for your own expedition. This is commonly known as "Mutual-Benefit-Fundraising", in that you are raising funds for the charity and your own expedition at the same time. A portion of the funds you raise will go to benefit the charity non-profit and a portion will go to fund your expedition team-membership. This is fair and equitable, because neither you nor the charity non-profit would be able to raise these funds on their own. In order to generate donations from supportive people in the audience and community, you both need to help one-another. back
* I would like to host a lecture. How do I do it? Please go to our LECTURE page and study that, and then contact us with your proposed dates and venues, audience, etcetera. Thank you, and we look forward to meeting you and lecturing to your group. back
* I am looking for a sponsor to help me participate in this expedition. Can you help me? Yes. We have published a list of sponsors who have been of help to us in the past on our SPONSOR page. You might read through the page in order to gain ideas about the kinds of things that sponsors look for. Remember, the most generous sponsors are likely to be those in your local area, or at your place of business, who know you personally. back
* I am looking for mountain employment, would like to pursue an internship, and am interested in your "Leader-In-Training" programme. Can you help me? Yes, we do offer discounts for "leaders-in-training". For those members who are aspiring leaders and/or mountain guides, and want to learn about what is involved in being an expedition leader, and are willing to arrive a few days before the expedition and stay a few days after the expedition, and help with logisitics and leadership before, during, and after the expedition, the "leader-in-training" position may be a desirable one. Many of our expedition leaders started in such a role, and progressed on to become the chief leader of their own expedition. Please view our new Leaders-In-Training Website. back
* How can I become the team journalist, reporter, photographer, videographer, or cinematographer? We encourage those with writing, photo, video, and cinematographic skills and equipment to join our team. If you produce a major media-quality work, such as a published, and in some cases publishable, article, book, video, dvd, etcetera, we are glad to send you a rebate, after the expedition, equal to a percentage of what you have paid, for example it could be 10-50 percent. We can provide you with a Sherpa to assist you in carrying the heavy equipment (or carrying your own personal equipment while you carry the fragile camera-gear). We may be able to offer discounts in advance for these services. We do recognize that these are special and important skills, and we will do everything in our power to assist you and make your task an enjoyable one, and to ensure you receive the cooperation and model-releases of all of the team members and staff. In addition, we can assist you in marketing your finished product, as you will see that we have done with recent publications and DvDs.
* Do you organize expeditions to other mountains? Yes, we frequently do so, and are especially expert at assisting you with expedition organizing in Nepal, Tibet, China, Africa, Pakistan, Central Asian Republics, India, South America, Britain, Europe, North America, New Zealand, Australia and others. Please email or telephone us for assistance with all of your expedition needs. back
Please
continue to ask as many more questions as possible, so we may ensure you have joined our
team with full knowledge.
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