MEDIA RELEASE
17 June, 2015
Leading Nepal trekking specialist, World Expeditions, has announced it will operate all scheduled treks in the Annapurna and Everest regions of Nepal from September.
The company’s local staff has now completed a thorough review of trail conditions, bridges, its private campsite infrastructure and the general state of community villages and report that they are satisfied with operational safety in the Annapurna, Everest, Mustang, Dolpo and Api regions. (Full details below).
World Expeditions CEO, Sue Badyari, said the company’s first priority is clients’ safety.
“We need to ensure the safety of each trekking region before we declare a trek operable,” Ms Badyari said. “We’re delighted that the due diligence safety assessments are completed in the major trekking regions and that the results allow the first treks to begin again immediately after the monsoon in September,” Ms Badyari said.
We have close to 140 trips operating from the beginning of September through to the end of 2015 and we are finding travellers are keen to continue with their plans if it is operationally safe to do so,” she said. “A further final review will be conducted in the Annapurna and Everest regions after the monsoon and we do not expect any changes to the current situation.”
“We’ve also established that the entry and departure points for our treks, being road access and air strips, are reliable,” Ms Badyari said. “Our base in Kathmandu, the Radisson Hotel, has received an official green sticker that confirms it is structurally sound and Kathmandu international airport remains fully operational.”
“We are fortunate that in the Everest and Annapurna regions, our private campsites are all in good condition, with only minor repairs needed to two of our Everest camps, which will be completed well before the season recommences,” she said. “Otherwise, with our full service camping treks in all other regions, we can continue to be as flexible as we need to be and not reliant on any private accommodation whatsoever.”
Ms Badyari said that she expects trekking in other areas to follow, as safety assessments were completed.
Meanwhile, the company’s Nepal Earthquake Appeal has raised $220,000, which is being allocated to relief effort in some of the worst hit areas and to the rebuilding of schools, which were devastated by the earthquakes.
Please visit www.worldexpeditions.co.nz or phone 0800 350 354 for more information.
- Ends –
For images, interviews or more information
Please contact Rob Keating +64 9 368 4161
rob@worldexpeditions.co.nz
Region specific detailed reports here:
The Annapurna region: This area sustained very little damage from the earthquake, other than in the village of Jomsom (on the Annapurna Circuit route) on the north western side of the Annapurna range. The area up around Manang is also reported to be mostly unaffected. Most of our treks in the region take place south of the Annapurna massif where all conditions are stable and in good condition for trekkers.
Everest region: There were two small landslips on the trails north of Lukla which have already been addressed by government appointed workers. Any danger has been removed and we have reports of trekkers and the normal stream of local people using these and all other trail networks in the region. There are some lodges, monasteries and schools that have been damaged throughout the area, but we have assessed that they will not pose any risk to our operations. The Everest Base Camp is intact and we would like to highlight that the landslide that did occur post earthquake was at the base camp used by climbing expeditions, several hours hike above Gorak Shep, the highest village in which our trekkers sleep. With our guides up there last week we don’t see any issues visiting base camp or Kala Patar going forward. The Cho La pass that links the Everest and Gokyo valley is unaffected, as is the Renjo La pass linking the Gokyo and Thame Valleys. The Kongma La, being the pass between the Chukung Valley and Lobuche is also fine as per our Everest High Passes trek. The trails to Ama Dablam Base Camp are reported to be in good trekking condition.
Mountaineering Trips: Island Peak and Mera Peak are reported to be operationally ready for trips post monsoon. We do not have any information as yet about Baruntse and nor do we have first hand information about Lumding Valley and Teng Kangpoche. However, what we can say in relation to the latter is that the region is not populated with villages, does not contain any bridge crossings and our base camp at Teng Kangpoche will be situated on a high grassy plateau above the lake so does not present any risk with its situation. We have one departure visiting this area in October and are confident that our reviews drawing on satellite technology indicate no landslips. This will be rechecked post monsoon but having the robust experience of mountaineering leader Soren Kruse Ledet and our expert climbing Sherpas will mean that we’ll be able to navigate most conditions as is consistent with any exploratory style trip that we operate. We don’t foresee there being any issue with the continued operation of this trip.
Dolpo: This remote region in western Nepal has not been affected by the earthquake.
Api Himal: This region in the far west of Nepal has not been affected by the earthquake.
Mustang: The trails conditions are good but there were some monasteries that have sustained damage. We have been advised that there is work planned for their restoration but we again wish to advise that our treks in the region are camping based and we are therefore totally self sufficient to camp in places that are without risk.
Manaslu: We have had pieces of information back in about Manaslu. In some parts we know the area has sustained damage and we are awaiting the outcome of the army survey which we understand will be underway before the end of the month before sending in our own staff toward the end of August, when the monsoon should start to subside. We are asking any of our travellers with bookings for Manaslu to wait for these reports to be forthcoming.
Kanchenjunga: There was a mud slide in the region last week following the onset of the monsoon which typically starts in the east and moves west. Two rivers became engorged with unprecedented rainfall that triggered the slide. This is unrelated to the earthquake. We expect that there will be no problems operating our treks in the region after the monsoon.
Great Himalaya Trail: The Great Himalaya Trail does not operate until February 2016. We are very confident that the trip will be fully operational, however, there are some assessments and possible contingencies that we may need to do around the Rolwaling and Langtang areas. These, if necessary, are not expected to impact on the continuous nature of the trek. We’ll be in touch with our GHT trekkers later in the year when we have completed our reviews and any contingency plans.
ENDS