Nepal Tourism Is Back On

Nepal Tourism Is Back On

Despite concerns about safety and infrastructure following the earthquakes earlier this year, Nepal has gotten the all-clear for tourism, including on Mt. Everest.

Nepal-Kathmandu-Valley-cr-getty

Following devastating earthquakes this spring, Nepal has officially been cleared to welcome tourists again, just in time for peak hiking season. Miyamoto, a structural engineering firm, oversaw a survey of Nepal’s infrastructure that was paid for by the British government. They determined that the country—as well as Annapurna, Mt. Everest, and other places favored by international tourists—is safe to visit. While the Nepalese government, which counts on tourism money to help boost its economy, is happy about the news, not everyone feels the same way.

“Travel insurance is the major problem for us right now,” Shiva Dhakal, the owner of the Royal Mountain Travel tour company, told The Guardian. “Travelers from the U.K. are scared.” The survey’s methods also drew concern, as it was pulled together in a short amount of time, leading some critics to argue that it wasn’t entirely thorough.

But not everyone is put off. Tauck, a U.S.-based tour operator, has announced that its previously scheduled Nepal visits this fall will go on as scheduled. The 17-day itinerary is primarily across India but includes three days in Kathmandu. Tauck corporate communications manager Tom Armstrong told Condé Nast Traveler that he felt confident sending travelers back to Nepal after his own partners there had okayed the venues they would be visiting, including the famed Dwarika’s Hotel.”We’ve been in consultation with all of our partners in Nepal since the earthquake,” he said. “We sent one of our employees, who has been to Nepal many times, in [early] July to go visit all the places our guests visit on our tour. He inspected them and found that, much to his surprise, it was better than anticipated. Based on the media coverage, there were a lot of areas that were better than he expected them to be.”

Nepal Reopens Earthquake-Damaged UNESCO Sites

The Tauck itinerary in Kathmandu includes a flight seeing trip through the Himalayas, a Q&A with a Sherpa, and a visit to the historic village of Bhaktapur. It doesn’t involve any mountain climbing, one of Nepal’s riskiest outings. The only change to the itinerary, Armstrong reports, was a planned visit to Durbar Square, one of the UNESCO sites in Kathmandu that was seriously damaged during the quakes. It has been replaced with a visit to a similar monument in less-precarious condition. “It’s definitely not intended to be an adventure itinerary,” Armstrong added. “The Nepal component is much more about history and culture. Typically, this [tour] appeals to a seasoned traveler who is culturally curious, who has traveled extensively.” He believes that people who want to help Nepal’s recovery efforts should do so by going there and spending money, as tourism is such a key part of the country’s economy.

A second Miyamoto report, this one funded by the World Bank, is due this week. It’s also expected to say that Nepal is ready to welcome back tourists.

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Source: www.cntraveler.com

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Most villages on Everest trail unaffected by quake: Report

A report prepared on the basis of structural, geotechnical earthquake damage and trekking safety assessment has concluded that most of the villages on the Everest Base Camp trail do not appear to have been affected by landslide hazards. The assessment entitled ‘Damage Assessment of Everest Region’ was conducted between June 27 and July 2 by Miyamoto International, a global engineering, construction management and project management company with funding from the International Finance Corporation.

everest_base_camp

“As there is no major damage, it is possible to begin trekking in the region. We have received the draft report and we have yet to get the final report,” said Tulsi Gautam, director general of the Department of Tourism, adding that the department will launch the report next week after getting full report.

According to the report, none of the nine suspension bridges assessed by Miyamoto engineers appear to have been affected by new geotechnical hazards. Much of the trail and most of the rock retaining walls, both above and below the trails, are undamaged as per the report. However, the engineers observed very little foundation damage to the buildings.

“As most of the trails and bridges are safe, we can resume trek from September after monsoon ends,” said Sagar Pandey, general secretary of Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN).

TAAN expects that trekking business will revive by 25 percent from August and more than 60 percent by autumn next year.

The report, however, notes that a number of villages like Phakding and Jorsale have significant existing rockfall hazard while Toktok, Bengkar and Shomore have been affected by very serious geotechnical hazards.

According to the report, the damage in the lower valley, below Namche Bazaar, is greater than in the upper valley as the slopes are generally steeper in the lower valley.

“In the lower valley, the damage tends to be concentrated on the true right side of the river. This is likely because the dominant defect orientations within the rock are dipping out of slope on the true right and into slope on the true left. This means that there are more kinematically feasible failure mechanisms on the right side of the river,” the report said.

The report further said that there may also be a seismic directivity effect since the true right of the river may have been shaken in a different manner from the true left as the United States Geological Society (USGS) modeling shows clear propagation of energy toward the east.

To manage risks associated with the hazards identified by the study, the team has recommended completing a detailed risk assessment study, including assessment of likelihood of failure, occupancy of specific areas of trail and villages, and combining these with hazard to assess the risk.

The team comprised of a structural engineer, a geotechnical engineer, a professional mountain guide, a project coordinator and an operations manager. It assessed 15 villages, 710 buildings and nine suspension bridges.

As per the report, out of approximately 710 buildings, earthquake damage of structural concern was observed in 120 buildings i.e. 17 percent, 83 percent of buildings can be given a green tag per Applied Technology Council-20/ Department of Urban Development and Building Construction guidelines.

The good thing, according to the report, is that most of the buildings that were damaged can feasibly be repaired and building owners have started reconstructing damaged buildings.

“The major concern is accommodation and the trails. As the trails are safe and the buildings, most of which are lodges under reconstruction, we can disseminate the message that trekking can resume in the region very soon,” said Pandey.

However, to provide training and guidelines during these critical months of reconstruction would greatly improve the overall built environment of accommodation structures on the trail, the report said.

“The owners also are facing severe shortages of cement, rebar and labor. Supply chains needs to be facilitated to ensure that these materials are readily available and that the quality of repair works will not be comprised due to these shortages,” the report stated.

Report highlights:

  • Many villages on the Everest Base Camp trail namely Lukla, Namche, Khumjung, Tengboche, and all villages above Dingboche do not appear to have been affected by landslide hazards.
  • Villages like Phakding and Jorsale have significant existing rockfall hazard while Toktok, Bengkar and Shomore have been affected by very serious geotechnical hazards.
  • None of the nine suspension bridges assessed by Miyamoto engineers appear to have been affected by new geotechnical hazards.
  • Much of the trail and most of the rock retaining walls, both above and below the trails, are undamaged.
  • Of approximately 710 buildings, earthquake damage of structural concern was observed in 120 buildings i.e. 17 percent and 83 percent of buildings can be given a green tag.
  • The damaged buildings can be repaired and building owners have started reconstruction.

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Everest Base Camp Trek among National Geographic’s World’s Best Hikes: 20 Dream Trails

Everest Base Camp Trek, Nepal

Mt-Everest Base Camp

Hiker: Jim Whittaker, mountaineer

In His Words

I would recommend the trek to Everest Base Camp to anybody. The people are incredible, the scenery can’t be beat, and you get to take a look at Everest or Chomolungma, meaning the “Goddess Mother of the World.” It’s spectacular just to see the highest point on planet Earth. In 1963, it was a 185-mile trip. These days you can start by flying into to Lukla, a village at 9,000 feet with a slanted airstrip that makes for a hell of a takeoff and landing. In May, the rhododendrons are in bloom with orchids growing in them. There are guest houses on the way up. You can get a beer. There are waste baskets on the trail. They have done a nice job of cleaning it up. I made the trek to Everest Base Camp last year but had to turn back near the camp due to intestinal difficulties. I went ten years ago for the 40th anniversary of the climb with Gombu [Nawang Gombu Sherpa who summited with Whittaker in 1963] and our families. That is when my son Leif decided he wanted to climb it. Who knows, I might wander up there again. —Jim Whittaker

Length: About 40 miles

The Details: The two-week trek to Everest Base Camp and back has become increasingly popular—REI even runs a trip—but no less spectacular, if you don’t mind how much the route and the now-bottlenecked climb to the summit have changed since 1963. And why not? It’s a bucket list trip available to people who don’t have the ability (or money, a guided trip to the top of the world runs around $50,000) to actually climb Everest. Simply viewing the peak is a must. And while so many books and films have focused on the trip from Base Camp to the summit, the journey to Base Camp is no less miraculous.

Beyond the chance to come face to face with the mountain from the spot where climbers begin their ascent, the route passes through the heart of the Khumbu region and wanders into its bustling, little capital, Namche Bazaar. Perched at 11,286 feet, this is where most trekkers spend a few days getting acclimatized and immersing themselves in the local culture—as well as returning to their own by checking email at an Internet cafe. From here, the trek heads up past smaller villages, like at 13,074-foot Pangboche, with its famed Buddhist monastery, before topping out at 17,650 feet at base camp, with the summit towering over 11,000 feet above.

Don’t feel bad if climbers who are acclimatizing at Everest Base Camp seem to keep at a distance from you—they don’t want to be exposed to germs from trekkers before making an attempt at the highest spot on planet Earth. And while many trekkers are quite content just looking at that summit, some others, like Leif Whittaker, feel the urge to return.

When to Go: Spring from March until the monsoons move in in May is best but September–November after the monsoon season can be beautiful as well, and a bit less crowded.

 About Whittaker: Jim Whittaker became the first American to stand on the summit of Mount Everest on May 1, 1963, for which he and the members of his team were awarded National Geographic Society’s Hubbard Medal and invited to the White House by President John F. Kennedy. Before he climbed to the top of the world, Whittaker was already a proficient mountaineer in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, and like many climbing bums he worked in outdoor retail—he was the first full-time employee at Seattle’s Recreation Equipment, Inc. (REI), and later its CEO. He also led the first successful American summit of 18,151-foot K2—the world’s second highest mountain and a more difficult climb than Everest—in 1978 and the 1990 Everest Peace Climb, which included American, Soviet, and Chinese mountaineers and helped remove two tons of trash from the mountain. His son Leif followed in his father’s footsteps, reaching the top of the world in 2010 and again in 2012 when Jim set out on the Base Camp trek with him.

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Source: National Geographic

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Govt survey finds major glacial lakes safe

Govt survey finds major glacial lakes safe

News reports about glacial lakes developing serious cracks and heightened possibility of glacial lake outburst flooding (GLOF) in the aftermath of the April 25 earthquake made big headlines. Consequently, the government deployed monitoring teams to the mountains. However, a recent survey of the affected Himalayan region has dismissed any possibility of GLOF. The survey conducted by a team of experts deployed by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), boldly proclaims that the glacial lakes are out of danger.

Glacier-Lake

The report was made public during a press meet held at the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MoSTE) on June 21. Making a presentation on the report, Director General of DHM, Rishi Ram Sharma said the recent quakes have caused no serious damage to the glacial lakes.

“After being alarmed of the situation, we paid field visits to the respective districts and found no serious damage. For now, there is no danger of GLOF. Some of the issues were raised unnecessarily and sensitized,” said Sharma.

Concerns over the condition of two critically vulnerable glacial lakes — Tsho Rolpa in Dolkha and Imja in Solukhambu — had grown after rumors that the rivers in the area had swollen due to GLOF. The situation had turned more serious after news reports about discovery of deep and wide cracks near Tsho-Rolpa lake made headlines.

Monitoring of the two vulnerable glacial lakes were done on June 13, 15 and 16 simultaneously by a three-member team led by Sharma. Sharma however, said the series of strong jolts have caused a few minor cracks in the lakes.

“Imja lake is fine. We found no trace of damage in the region. However, some minor cracks were found near Tsho Rolpa glacial lake but they are not serious,” said Sharma.

The cracks were found on a pile of debris near one of the DHM stations near the edge of the lake. Sharma explained that the cracks are on a shallow portion near the lake and they pose no threat.

“Next to Tsho Rolpa lies a small hill and a small landslide has left its trace on it. As per our assessment, they do not pose any immediate threat of GLOF,” said Sharma.

On June 10, fear of a GLOF had scared the locals when the water level in the Dudhkoshi River rose 48 meters within an hour. GLOF was the first guess as it had not rained on that day. However, after an investigation, it was found that the water was from one of the many glacial lakes above Hongu VDC.

“It was not GLOF but overflow of water from glacial ponds formed at Hongu VDC,” said Chief of Flood Forecasting Division at DHM, Rajendra Sharma.

This is not the first time that overflowing of glacial ponds have been mistaken for GLOF. In one recent incident, on March 25 when supra glacial lake overflowed near Everest Base Camp, it had caused panic in the area.

According to Rijan Bhakta Kayasta, senior geologist and assistant professor at Kathmandu University, there are many glacial ponds in the mountains and near the glacial lakes and there is an instant need to study them.

“Glacial ponds are formed from the debris and melting of glaciers but our research studied only the major glaciers and glacial lakes. In order to understand such recent puzzling phenomena, there is an instant need to turn our focus on these small glacial ponds as well,” said Kayasta.

As per the report of the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), there are 2,323 glacial lakes across the Himalayan region in Nepal. Out of them, 21 have been categorized as critically vulnerable.

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Source: REPUBLICA

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Tourism-reliant Nepal to seek assurances Everest is safe after quakes

Tourism-reliant Nepal to seek assurances Everest is safe after quakes

Nepal will ask international experts to assess the safety of Mount Everest trekking trails in an effort to convince tourists it is safe to return after two devastating earthquakes closed most routes.

A trekker stands in front of Mount Everest, which is 8,850 meters high (C), at Kala Patthar in Solukhumbu District May 7, 2014. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

A trekker stands in front of Mount Everest, which is 8,850 meters high (C), at Kala Patthar in Solukhumbu District May 7, 2014. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

The quakes, on April 25 and May 12, killed almost 9,000 people and shook mountains triggering avalanches that killed scores of climbers and guides. Experts say catastrophic landslides could be triggered during this monsoon season that begins in mid-June.

Tourists fled the Himalayan nation after the first quake and hotels and trekking companies said they have suffered heavy cancellations ahead of the autumn.

Tourism, including trekking and climbing permit fees, contributes about 4 percent of Nepal’s gross domestic product.

“After the earthquakes, many trekking groups started raising questions about the safety of hikers,” said Tulsi Prasad Gautam, the head of Nepal’s tourism department. “Their cost of insurance also began to rise. Therefore, we are undertaking the study to increase their confidence.”

Geologists from Europe, Japan and Singapore have shown an interest in conducting the studies, said Ramesh Dhamala, president of Trekking Agents’ Association of Nepal.The main focus of the assessment would be in the Annapurna and Everest regions which attract 70 percent of trekkers, officials said.Nepal has been urging tourists to visit if they want to help it recover. The country is one of the poorest in the world and many depend on tourism for their income.Climbing on Mount Everest is closed for the second climbing season in a row after Sherpas refused to rebuild broken paths across a deadly glacier and mountaineering companies said it was too dangerous to ascend.

Langtang valley, Nepal’s third most popular trekking destination, remains closed after the quake triggered a catastrophic landslide that buried hundreds of people in one village in the valley.

In a sign of the dangers ahead of this monsoon season, heavy rains triggered a landslide killing at least 13 people, including children, and dozens were missing in the Taplejung district in east Nepal on Thursday.

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Source: reuters.com

Left intact in quake, Namche Bazaar awaits tourists

Left intact in quake, Namche Bazaar awaits tourists

Namche Bazaar, also known as the gateway of Mt Everest, that stood intact in the recent earthquake is now awaiting tourists.

Thousands of domestic and foreign tourists en route to the world’s highest mountain visit Namche Bazaar of Solukhumbu district every year to enjoy the scenic beauty of the place. However, rumors about devastation by quake have adversely affected tourism in the area.
Namche-bazaar
Angchhiring Sherpa, an hotelier, said, “Nothing except a few residential houses has been damaged here.” Fear among tourists is natural, especially after the strong aftershocks that followed the devastating April 25 earthquake. But Namche Bazaar, which stood intact in the quake, is without tourists these days. “Namche is still safe for tourists to visit,” Sherpa said.

Both the earthquakes of April 25 and May 12 have inflicted minor damage to Namche Bazaar area. Only around 250 private houses in the rural areas of Namche have been destroyed, while 150 residential houses have been damaged.

The news about complete destruction of Namche Bazaar is not true, according Angphinjo Sherpa, a civil society leader. “All the tourism entrepreneurs waiting to welcome tourists,” he said.

Namche is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the world. It has 53 hotels and lodges. However, only two people lost their lives at the Everest Base Camp due to an avalanche triggered by the earthquake.

Bikram Thapa, a local radio journalist, of district headquarters, Salleri, has recently reached Namche Bazaar for reporting after four hours of trekking. “I found Namche stood unaffected,” he told Republica. “I found half of a dozen hotels and lodges have developed cracks due to the earthquake.”

However, most of those tourists who were in the Namche area at the time of the earthquake have already flown back to their countries.

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Source: myrepublica