Map-1 Climbing route to Lopchin Feng

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1 ANG TATSUO TSHERING (TIM) INOUE SHERPA Mountaineering The First Ascent and of Adventure Lopchin Feng Tourism (KG-2) in West 6,805m Nepal Autumn Prospect 2009 Expedition to the and Kangri Potentiality Garpo East Mountains, Tibet Nepal is a multi-geographic country situated in the South Asia between two giant Nations of China and India. The total area of Nepal is 147,181 sq.km. The northern belt of Nepal is covered by the Himalayas, the central belt by the mid-hills and the flat plains of the Terai cover the south. A country of extremes, the lowest point in Nepal is 70m from sea level and the highest point is the summit of Mount Everest at 8848 meters, making her the highest mountain in the world. The climate varies from extreme alpine with severe winters and cool summers in the north to mild winters and subtropical summers in the south. Geographically Nepal is divided into five developmental regions which are Eastern Region, Central Region, Western Region, Mid-western Region and Far-western Region. The Eastern Region has a damp climate whereas the Western Region has dry climate even during the monsoon season. The influence of the monsoon is less in west and the climate is moderate in the central region. All the rivers flow southwards from the glaciers of Nepal to join up to the Ganges in India. Several rivers flow from Tibet through deep gorges in the main Himalayan ranges. There is vast diversity of forest, animals as well as people in the Himalayan Nation. The Karnali is the longest river of Nepal. Similarly the largest lake is Rara Lake. Mid and Far-west are the least developed regions in Nepal despite of vast resources that have the potential to turn it way ahead of rest of the development regions with in a medium to long term time frame. What is needed is a serious effort to mobilize, implement and monitor. Effort should therefore, be made to identify the resource potential of the region, it s comparative advantage, the contribution it can make in the life of the people, not limiting with the people in the region alone. The important tourist centers are Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve, Khaptad National Park, Mount Api and Saipal. Lack of infrastructures and distance from the capital city are the main causes for which very few Map-1 Climbing route to Lopchin Feng tourists visit Far-Western Development Region. There are numerous famous low, middle and high mountains in West Nepal. Therefore, there is great scope for developing mountain tourism in West Nepal. The mountain ranges from Far-West Nepal to West Nepal are Nalakankar Himal Range, Chandi Himal range, Kangnun Himal range, Changla Himal range,byas Rishi Himal Range,Namjung Himal Range,Guras Himal range,gorakha Himal range, Khangla Himal range, Kanti Himal range Palchung Hamga Himal range, Charkha Bhot Himal range, Gautam Himal range, Chalbhat Himal range, Mustang Himal Range etc. Government of Nepal has declared free royalty for the opened peaks of Mid-west and Far-west region for mountaineering until 16 July Most of the entire mountain ranges in West Nepal have no accurate information and there are many peaks that have not been mapped, photographed, climbed or even visited. Despite the huge potentials for promoting mountain tourism, it has not been exploited significantly. With so many unclimbed summits on all sides, and such a dearth of scientific knowledge of the region, it seems that the majority of West Nepal is still in the phase of reconnaissance mountaineering where the small expedition, often with scientific aims, comes most fully into its own. 102

2 JAPANESE ALPINE NEWS 2012 We have seen the immensely valuable work of photographing and mapping the mountains in the eastern Himalayas of Tibet by Mr. Tamotsu Nakamura. This detailed documentation of each individual peak is a huge asset for developing mountaineering and mountain tourism. We now recognize that a similar effort is required in Nepal, especially the less explored western Nepalese Himalaya. This would be a huge boon to the people of west Nepal, who are amongst the most economically deprived in the world. Nepal is now recognized as one of the greatest destinations for travelers and mountaineers throughout the world. All is the upshot of earlier mountaineers, trekkers cum writers who have introduced the world to this hidden paradise nestled in the lap of Himalayas. Since then mountaineers and adventures can't help but find themselves heading to this beautiful Himalayan Nation, Nepal. Nepal has been the Mecca for mountaineers with many of the highest peaks in the world and some most outstanding achievements have been made in the world of mountaineering. Mountaineering is considered the keystone activity that Nepal offers to the climbers than any country in the world. There are around 3,310 peaks above 5,500m along the Himalayan range of Nepal. Among them, there are 1,310 peaks above 6,000m. In recent times, the government of Nepal has opened only 326 peaks for mountaineering. Even till this day, most of the great Himalayan region is untouched and has always fascinated and inspired a horde of people from all walks of life over and again. Tourism is regarded as one of the biggest and fastest growing industries in the world. It has a significant role in the socio-economic development of many developed and developing countries. Tourism has been playing a pivotal role in the economic development of Nepal. Due to the possession of natural wealth, a cultural, religious and archaeological heritage Nepal is emerging as an important tourist destination in the world. The Himalayas of Nepal and their scenic beauty are the prominent attractions for the tourists. Nepal is the country of Mount Everest, the land of the world's famous climbers and the land of Lord Buddha. Its snow peak, mountains, rivers and lakes, conducive climate and mysterious charms are the attraction to visitors coming here. Nepal has eight cultural and two natural world heritage sites. It offers nature-based tourism activities like trekking, mountaineering, rafting and wildlife sanctuaries. Having all the important ingredients for tourism development in the country, people from both East and West are attracted to visit Nepal. Today, tourism is one of the main sources of foreign exchange earnings for Nepal, provides good employment opportunities at different levels and promotes cottage industries, trade and other service sectors. Mountain Tourism is one of the significant sectors of Nepalese tourism. Mountaineering and trekking are considered the major tourism products of Nepalese tourism. It is mountaineering and trekking that increases the length of stay of the tourists, support the rural economy and have a pivotal impact upon the entire tourism industry of the country. Mountains are the 'key' to developing the tourism industry in Nepal, but the vast resources of tourism have not been tapped very significantly. In Nepal, mountain tourism being a major tourism product, its proper evaluation and development is needed. Thus, proper planning and policy formulation is needed for sustainable mountain tourism development in the country. But, the various policies, master plans, tourism development plans and Tourism Policy, 1995 do not seem to have addressed the issues of mountain tourism adequately. In the beginning, mountain tourism was not seriously taken as an important tourism product, but only later it can be seen that it was developed as an important tourism product. Earlier, most of the tourists coming to Nepal came with the objective of organized tours featuring sightseeing and cultural visits. In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of tourists coming with the objective of trekking and mountaineering, while there has been a decline in the number of tourists coming for 103

3 the cultural and sightseeing tours. The Great Himalayan Trail (GHT) is a newly launched Tourism product of Nepal by the Ministry of Tourism. It is a long distance walking trail along the length of the Himalayas in Nepal envisaged under GHT Development Program led by Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation. GHT is likely to help in channeling tourists and pro-poor tourism investments to less visited and under developed districts of Nepal. The Climate Smart Celebrity Trek (CSCT) is being organized to raise global awareness on the impacts of Climate Change in the Himalayas and showcase how sustainable tourism can be used as a tool for poverty reduction and to build climate-resilience among impoverished mountain communities. Apa Sherpa (21 times Mt. Everest Summiteer) and my son Dawa Steven Sherpa (Two times Mt. Everest Summiteer and Managing Director of Asian Trekking (P) Ltd) embarked on a 1,700 KM and 120 days long Great Himalaya Trail on 15thJanuary, The event has been endorsed by Climate Change Council, the apex body of Government of Nepal headed by Rt. Hon. Prime Minister. The mountaineer duo will be accompanied by Saurav Dhakal- British Council International Climate Champion, Samir Jung Thapa- the official photographer of the event and Asian Trekking s guides, cooks, camp staffs and porters. GHT-CSCT is organized by the Himalayan Climate Initiative (HCI) in coordination with Government of Nepal, particularly Ministry of Environment, and Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, with the support of DFID, British Council, SNV, GHTDP Partners. The event has already received support of Corporate partners Geo-Eye, Asian Trekking, North Face and expects to earn the support of several Corporate Partners in the days to come. Some of the major highlights of the GHT-CSCT are: The Great Himalaya Trail-Climate Smart Celebrity Trek (GHT-CSCT) will traverse some of the most rugged and breathtaking mountain landscapes on earth and will pass beneath eight of the world s highest peaks. The GHT-CSCT will cut through 20 districts in the mid-hills and low mountains of Nepal, many of which have been reported as vulnerable to Climate Change impacts according to the National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) report. GHT-CSCT will invite global celebrities such as Hollywood and Bollywood stars, celebrities from the world of entertainment, television and sports, famous mountaineers, politicians, environmental activists, researchers, local and global media to join Apa Sherpa and Dawa Steven Sherpa on GHT- CSCT. Besides promoting GHT as a great tourism product, their participation will raise global awareness about Climate Change in the Himalayas and promote pro-poor tourism as a potential Climate Adaptation strategy and poverty reduction tool in Nepal s Himalayas. GHT-CSCT will raise awareness among government representatives, politicians, civil society leaders, private sector, and development partners in Nepal for the vulnerability of impoverished people against the effects of climate change. GHT-CSCT will establish GHT, nationally and internationally, as a sustainable tourism product. It will promote the GHT as the world s highest long-distance walking trail and Nepal s newest tourism product among travelers and tourism professionals worldwide and highlight its pro-poor, 104

4 JAPANESE ALPINE NEWS 2012 sustainable and climate smart approach. GHT-CSCT will establish mountain tourism as a climate friendly activity, and promote trekking as an eco-friendly and low-carbon tourism activity. The GHT-CSCT will be a zero carbon emission activity. The Prague International Alpinism Festival and Conference, Czech, early December 2011 (Dawa Steven Sherpa made lecture.) The Great Himalaya Trail Development Program (GHTDP) will work towards harnessing tourism with a market-led approach to improve livelihoods and bring sustainable development opportunities to remote and poor communities through the creation of an iconic and globally significant new tourism product for Nepal. The Great Himalaya Trail (GHT) is a network of existing paths and trade routes spanning the length of the country from Darchula and Humla in the West to Kanchenjunga in the East, packaged and promoted into one of the world s great walks. Over the longer term, the GHT has the potential to traverse the length of the Himalayan Range stretching through impoverished mountain areas of Pakistan, India and Bhutan. It is my sincere hope that with the support of photographing and mapping work like that done by Mr. Tamotsu Nakamura and events such as the Great Himalayan Trail-Climate Smart Celebrity Trek, all mountains and mountain communities in Nepal will bring much need attention to these area and help in bettering the lives of the people that live there. The following pictures are of the Doshisha University Alpine Club, Kyoto, which is a pioneer of the far West Nepal. 105

5 Far West Nepal - View From the top of Saipal to Api and Garhwar Himalaya Whole profile of the south face of Saipal 7,040m - West Nepal 106