tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61080158567597657862024-02-17T21:05:22.509-08:00Peak Freak ExpeditionsTim Rippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541159445289025384noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108015856759765786.post-65414558248748231452016-11-08T10:54:00.003-08:002016-11-08T11:09:49.402-08:00Lobuche done! Off to build a school<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linda Blakely, Bob Wood, Nima Sherpa and Tim Rippel - Lobuche 6119m<br />
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Couldn't ask for a better day to summit and being my last climb in the Himalayas it was wonderful gift . Standing there saying good-bye to all the memories on these beautiful peaks, Ama Dablam, Pumori and Everest that I worked on for so many years. Thank you beautiful Khumbu and all my friends that live here and the valley's below. My heart is full with love from all of you who have treated me so well. Thank you higher powers for keeping me and all my climbers safe. I'm one of the lucky ones and proud to leave this way. I sleep at night knowing I always gave it my best shot in keeping everyone safe. </div>
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We (Becky and I), are off on another path. Everyone tells us that we can't quit and they are right. We will just be doing different things. It's in our blood after 25 years, twice and sometimes three times a year. We will return each autumn to lead a soft trek and bring volunteers to help build quality schools in rural Nepal. </div>
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Right after this climb I scurried off the mountain and headed to our earth build school project. You can follow us at <a href="http://rippeling.blogspot.ca/">Peak Freaks Rippel Effect. </a></div>
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Please keep following. We have a lot of work to do.</div>
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Tim and Becky Rippel</div>
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<a href="http://peakfreaks.com/">Peak Freaks</a></div>
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<br />Tim Rippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541159445289025384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108015856759765786.post-91664364974175792712016-10-27T08:31:00.000-07:002016-10-27T08:32:59.516-07:00Island Peak Summited- Lobuche Next<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrT0XTyHGs_5a26lSJmAcLEMRI5dSZlVfqGGSFvhudf04smNYM88AxgLJds6ZOmMCDB0GgwvDMQVb9lmCxWknsvMRlNK8xAY7xN0lH6ssuM8IVvfdFrifd5c6E9T4P737PPhjnKPjcCE/s1600/IMG_6303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrT0XTyHGs_5a26lSJmAcLEMRI5dSZlVfqGGSFvhudf04smNYM88AxgLJds6ZOmMCDB0GgwvDMQVb9lmCxWknsvMRlNK8xAY7xN0lH6ssuM8IVvfdFrifd5c6E9T4P737PPhjnKPjcCE/s400/IMG_6303.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Photos came in this morning from Linda Blakely from the UK on top of Island Peak with Nima Sherpa. Team is heading to Lobuche tomorrow. Weather has been crisp and clear.<br />
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Our earth quake relief "earth bag" team are about to begin their journey to Nepal this coming weekend. One adventure after another. <a href="http://rippeling.blogspot.ca/">http://rippeling.blogspot.ca</a> </div>
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More later.......</div>
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Becky</div>
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<a href="http://peakfreaks.com/">http://peakfreaks.com</a> </div>
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Tim Rippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541159445289025384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108015856759765786.post-88658889573445233202016-10-21T18:01:00.000-07:002016-10-21T18:03:27.795-07:00The World is Getting Too Small<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kala Pattar with Mount Pumori in the background </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everest Base Camp </td></tr>
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PF 2016 Triple Crown team has completed the rigours of acclimatization. The team has requested a rest day today while Tim is going to head to our Island Peak base camp. He's going on a walkabout to scout out some ice for the team to play on.<br />
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Yesterday the team enjoyed great weather atop Kala Pattar (5346m), the south ridge shoulder of Mount Pumori near Everest. It is a non-technical trail to the top. No exposure, no crevasse, no avalanche risks and the most dynamic photo-op location of Mount Everest.<br />
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As soon as they got down they went directly to Everest Base Camp and managed to get their photo there. Tim tells me that there was a line-up going up Kala Pattar, and at least 200 people in line at Everest base camp waiting to get their photo by the base camp marker. It's nice to see that tourists are coming back, but... the traveller world seems to be bursting at the seams and it sure changes the magic that used to be here. Line-ups at places like Lake Louise in the Canadian rockies are example at home. The world seems to be getting too small.<br />
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Tim is looking forward to getting off the busy trail and getting comfortable at our base camp and enjoying some quiet time with the team.<br />
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That's all for now! Anything exciting I'll bring it here.<br />
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Becky<br />
<a href="http://peakfreaks.com/everest_mountaineering_course.htm">http://peakfreaks.com/everest_mountaineering_course.htm</a><br />
<a href="http://rippeling.blogspot.ca/">http://rippeling.blogspot.ca</a><br />
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<br />Tim Rippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541159445289025384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108015856759765786.post-43079963093151461732016-10-17T09:46:00.002-07:002016-10-17T12:41:49.612-07:00HIGHEST LAMA CELEBRATES 20 YEARS LATER<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEYEu3C_NzCivc1o-9meDiW2-q3YWtpGtuWEp3tdIE4-lhxz3Xs9MeOUONYJy-LlD1e8EbekGvd5967n8xp4QM_9dxaQxjbRIcUM5VUEGlKLs8s6s3XtgpqMQqkT6YWtt8EbHgrep6e-U/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEYEu3C_NzCivc1o-9meDiW2-q3YWtpGtuWEp3tdIE4-lhxz3Xs9MeOUONYJy-LlD1e8EbekGvd5967n8xp4QM_9dxaQxjbRIcUM5VUEGlKLs8s6s3XtgpqMQqkT6YWtt8EbHgrep6e-U/s640/photo+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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In 1996 Tim Rippel was a member of climbing team who were attempting to be the first Canadians to summit Mt. Ama Dablam. Ama Dablam today, is a very popular climbing objective in the Everest region known as the Matterhorn of the Himalayas. Also on this team was Nelson B.C's Tim Thurston, and following in behind the team was Thurston's soon to be wife Carrie Morita who was on Becky's base camp trek team.<br />
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As the team worked their way up the mountain Lhakpa Sherpa ran down the valley to speak to Lama Geshi at his home in the village of Pangboche (the highest inhabited village in Nepal). Lama Geshi escaped Tibet in 1947. Lhakpa was to learn from Lama Geshi of an auspicious day to marry the couple. A day was picked, the team descended and Lama Geshi married the Thurston's "Tibetan style" in his home at 3985m in the Himalayas. Each year since, Tim takes his climbing team to meet with Lama Geshi and receive a blessing for safe massage while climbing on the Himalayan giants.<br />
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Twenty years later today, October 17th, 2016, Tim and Carrie's son Owen Thurston (now 19 years old), makes his firsts trip to Nepal. Trust me, these dates and this meeting were not even planned to line-up as Owen had just decided to take the journey to Nepal two weeks ago while on his travels in New Zealand. As the logistics were being put together it was realized he would arrive exactly 20 years later in the same spot, same day with Lama Geshi and Rippel who both were part of his parents marriage.<br />
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In this photo with Owen you will see Lama Geshi holding a photo of Tim and Carrie Thurston today holding their wedding photo in the exact same place in front of Lama Geshi 20 years later.<br />
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Happy Anniversary Tim and Carrie!!!! Many great memories were made here and lifetime friends.<br />
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Tim & Becky<br />
<a href="http://peakfreaks.com/everest_mountaineering_course.htm">http://peakfreaks.com/everest_mountaineering_course.htm</a><br />
<a href="http://rippeling.blogspot.ca/">http://rippeling.blogspot.ca</a><br />
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More trek photos contributions of the journey to Pangboche today. <br />
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<br />Tim Rippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541159445289025384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108015856759765786.post-88550422391526495122016-10-17T09:46:00.000-07:002016-10-17T09:54:49.801-07:00HIGHEST LAMA CELEBRATES 20 YEARS LATER<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEYEu3C_NzCivc1o-9meDiW2-q3YWtpGtuWEp3tdIE4-lhxz3Xs9MeOUONYJy-LlD1e8EbekGvd5967n8xp4QM_9dxaQxjbRIcUM5VUEGlKLs8s6s3XtgpqMQqkT6YWtt8EbHgrep6e-U/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEYEu3C_NzCivc1o-9meDiW2-q3YWtpGtuWEp3tdIE4-lhxz3Xs9MeOUONYJy-LlD1e8EbekGvd5967n8xp4QM_9dxaQxjbRIcUM5VUEGlKLs8s6s3XtgpqMQqkT6YWtt8EbHgrep6e-U/s640/photo+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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In 1996 Tim Rippel was a member of climbing team who were attempting to be the first Canadians to summit Mt. Ama Dablam. Ama Dablam today, is a very popular climbing objective in the Everest region known as the Matterhorn of the Himalayas. Also on this team was Nelson B.C's Tim Thurston, and following in behind the team was Thurston's soon to be wife Carrie Morita who was on Becky's base camp trek team.<br />
<br />
As the team worked their way up the mountain Lhakpa Sherpa ran down the valley to speak to Lama Geshi at his home in the village of Pangboche (the highest inhabited village in Nepal). Lhakpa was to learn from Lama Geshi of an auspicious day to marry the couple. A day was picked, the team descended and Lama Geshi married the Thurston's "Tibetan style" in his home at 3985m in the Himalayas.<br />
<br />
Twenty years later today, October 17th, 2016, Tim and Carrie's son Owen Thurston (now 19 years old), makes his firsts trip to Nepal. Trust me, these dates and this meeting were not even planned to line-up as Owen had just decided to take the journey to Nepal two weeks ago while on his travels in New Zealand. As the logistics were being put together it was realized he would arrive exactly 20 years later in the same spot, same day with Lama Geshi and Rippel who both were part of his parents marriage.<br />
<br />
In this photo with Owen you will see Lama Geshi holding a photo of Tim and Carrie Thurston today holding their wedding photo in the exact same place in front of Lama Geshi 20 years later.<br />
<br />
Happy Anniversary Tim and Carrie!!!! Many great memories were made here and lifetime friends.<br />
<br />
Tim & Becky<br />
<a href="http://peakfreaks.com/everest_mountaineering_course.htm">http://peakfreaks.com/everest_mountaineering_course.htm</a><br />
<a href="http://rippeling.blogspot.ca/">http://rippeling.blogspot.ca</a><br />
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More trek photos contributions of the journey to Pangboche today. <br />
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<br />Tim Rippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541159445289025384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108015856759765786.post-51095469877790812632016-10-16T15:48:00.004-07:002016-10-17T08:34:06.780-07:00Namche Bazaar - Mountain City<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Triple Crown 2016- Nepal in Namche Bazaar</td></tr>
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Just a quick update on our progress. We were lucky to get out on schedule to Lukla, the weather window closed in behind us so we are happy about getting in, and on, with this expedition on schedule.<br />
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I must say I'm surprised by the evidence of wealth up here in the Khumbu. New lodges are going up all around and they've built a water fountain in the village, or rather mountain city. There is a new high-end North Face store that resembles something you'd see downtown Vancouver and more shops coming. The dominating visitors this year appear to be Asian and mostly small groups. I haven't ran into any climbers yet. Things have definitely changed since I was here this time last year.<br />
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What's happening in Nepal is good example to those looking to help Haitians. </blockquote>
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Grassroots works! </blockquote>
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We are sleeping in Debouche tonight and tomorrow we visit with Lama Geshi for pretty special blessing. We'll share the details of that with you tomorrow.<br />
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Tim<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://peakfreaks.com/everest_mountaineering_course.htm">http://peakfreaks.com/everest_mountaineering_course.htm</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://rippeling.blogspot.ca/">http://rippeling.blogspot.ca (Earth Bag Build)</a></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gammon Bag Demonstration </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linda Blakely & Tee Tolliver </td></tr>
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Tim Rippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541159445289025384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108015856759765786.post-63132659041190934322016-10-12T09:38:00.003-07:002016-10-12T11:09:27.253-07:00Nepal Triple Crown 2016 Team<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Triple Crown Team 2016' - Kathmandu - Nepal</div>
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Here is our team minus one who arrived later from India, and also minus our Sherpa staff that they'll join with in the Khumbu tomorrow. This years team consists of professional athletes, beginner/novice climbers and the rest come with impressive climbing bios. Members are from Canada, Australia, USA, UK and India, and most are close to the same age. </div>
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Kathmandu is quiet. Tim met with a couple longtime Nepalese expedition agents the past couple of days and learned that tourist visits are definitely down which contradicts what local news has been reporting. Agents are however still keeping busy with administration due to more individual bookings compared to the groups they used to get. </div>
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The past day or two the team has been busy purchasing required equipment, going out for meals together, bonding, and doing reviews of emergency equipment like the <a href="http://peakfreaks.com/gamowbag.htm">Gammow Bag</a> (hyperbaric chamber). </div>
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Tomorrow the team is up at 5:00am and off to Lukla if weather permits. Ive been watching high winds in my weather reports that has the potential to thwart tomorrows flights. We'll keep followers updated on the situation here on this blog.</div>
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Becky Rippel</div>
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<ul>
<li>OCTOBER 2016 <a href="http://peakfreaks.com/everest_mountaineering_course.htm">http://peakfreaks.com/everest_mountaineering_course.htm</a></li>
<li>NOVEMBER 2016 <a href="http://rippeling.blogspot.ca/">Rippel Effect Earth Bag Build Nepal</a></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">TO LEARN MORE AND TO DONATE TO THE EARTH BUILD</span> <a href="http://www.firststepshimalaya.org/">First Steps Himalaya</a></li>
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<br />Tim Rippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541159445289025384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108015856759765786.post-4691663116768009682016-09-01T09:10:00.003-07:002016-09-01T09:20:08.172-07:00Nepal - Almost There!Peak Freaks autumn expeditions in the Himalayas will soon begin.<br />
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We've formed two nice sized teams on our <a href="http://peakfreaks.com/everest_mountaineering_course.htm">Triple Crown- Everest Training Climb</a>, including our <a href="http://rippeling.blogspot.ca/search?updated-min=2016-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2017-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=2">Island Peak</a> expedition, and our <a href="http://rippeling.blogspot.ca/search?updated-min=2016-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2017-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=2">Nepal Relief Work</a> team who will be learning and building earth quake safe earth bag structures and schools beginning in November.<br />
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The political climate in Nepal remains unpredictable but nothing out of the norm. A new prime minister has been elected, the ninth in eight years. Political shuffles like this rarely effect our expeditions in the mountains. Many are asking if Nepal is safe for travel and we say "yes it is". The fuel crisis is over and the country is trying to get back on it's feet. The country relies on our tourism dollars more than ever now.<br />
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Thankfully there has been a considerable amount of snow this year created by the seasonal monsoon and three cyclonic events affecting the Indian subcontinent. We've been watching these storms and feel confident it will settle out by the end of September and the mountains will begin to heal from the past two years of warmer than normal temperatures, and ice-melt. It's hopeful that the snow will stabilize the potential for rock fall and landslides that can happen when there is not enough snow to glue to hold the mountains and routes together. All said, it looks like a good mix and it should be a better than normal autumn climbing season.<br />
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Our expedition supplies have been purchased, inter-Nepal transportation is booked, international flights are secured and our staff are anxiously awaiting our teams arrival.<br />
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Onward and upward! We are almost there.<br />
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Tim and Becky Rippel<br />
<a href="http://peakfreaks.com/">peakfreaks.com </a><br />
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<br />Tim Rippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541159445289025384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108015856759765786.post-59339582249315455402016-03-08T12:48:00.000-08:002016-05-25T21:31:26.418-07:00 Everest 2016 - safety evaluation continues<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5R8UeIOLN-o_Up5Qh2ffa8bO8cDY2hKB9n9biJh31BTucapgszTB91RCcv__b-dOvJpbEZxCdb5CA49dhvhKLfD17145qaZqyy3mtha5kRSulsZb2nxtIcAIfyMxnrrvT_IzTcNWuB90/s1600/480656_10151377296200957_209337031_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5R8UeIOLN-o_Up5Qh2ffa8bO8cDY2hKB9n9biJh31BTucapgszTB91RCcv__b-dOvJpbEZxCdb5CA49dhvhKLfD17145qaZqyy3mtha5kRSulsZb2nxtIcAIfyMxnrrvT_IzTcNWuB90/s400/480656_10151377296200957_209337031_n.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
Everest 2016 - Cancelled once again.<br />
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We cancelled Everest in 2015 and as a result our staff were spared, and not involved in the tragic avalanche at base camp created by the April 25th earth quake last spring. Amen!<br />
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Everest 2016 season is now getting underway, however our concerns for cancelling in 2015 are still present, (<i>see announcement below</i>). Our biggest concern is the affects of global warming in the Himalayas and other mountains around the world. We are not prepared to put our climbers and Sherpa guide staff in harms way climbing through the crumbling ice-fall, and passing under fast melting seracs and dodging rock fall on the Lhotse face. Mountaineering has always been risky, but educated risk taking is key when taking clients money offering them your guidance in safety.<br />
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We are also very much concerned about the environmental protection implementations that we worked so hard towards the past 20+ years, we fear it will be compromised as the industry becomes more desperate with new competitors using price cutting as their edge and not investing in the costs of leaving footprints only and how corruption will prevail when bottom-lines are too low.<br />
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The Nepalese government has yet to restrict the number of climbers allowed to climb nor have they made any attempts to regulate who can operate there. Low ball operators are taking novice climbers up the mountain on a one-way ticket. We saw this coming and don't want any part of it.<br />
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More important than ever before, we continue to prepare aspiring climbers for Everest and other mountain objectives on our <a href="http://peakfreaks.com/everest_mountaineering_course.htm">TRAINING CLIMB</a> offering extensive instructional ascents on 6000m peaks in the Everest region. Helping participants be climbers NOT just a client as they should be.<br />
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We will also continue with our work helping <a href="http://rippeling.blogspot.ca/2016/03/earth-bag-school-project-november-2016.html">REBUILD NEPAL</a> with <a href="http://www.firststepshimalaya.org/">First Steps Himalaya</a> and organize private base camp and Annapurna treks, and our annual group <a href="http://peakfreaks.com/ebc_trek.htm">BASECAMP STAY TREK</a> in October each year. We will do our best with the help of our customers to bring tourism back to the beautiful people of Nepal.<br />
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<i>"PEAK FREAKS CANCELS EVEREST IN 2015 ANNOUNCEMENT"</i></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>Since beginning our operations over 24 years ago, it has always been a challenge to navigate through the complex and ever-changing political, social, and environmental aspects inherent in running a climbing and trekking operation in the Himalayas. The pay-off nonetheless has always been worth it – to our clients, to our Sherpa’s and their families, and to us. And as much as last year’s tragic events highlighted both the need for better safety regulations and a reassessment of the business which climbing Everest has become, our present concerns and consequent conclusions come from a much larger set of worrying circumstances.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>The local government’s fickle posturing and vague statements relating to mountaineering policies, the drastic alterations to the weather both traditional ENSO and ENSO Modoki have and will continue to cause, the growing list of socio-political events which has a cumulative effect of compromising regional security, present us with only one responsible and rational course of action. We at Peak Freaks are cancelling our commercial Everest 2015 summit climb. As clear as this decision has become it is still far from an easy one for us to have come to. The financial impact on our partners, our Sherpa’s, will be severe.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>The patience and loyalty of our clients will be taxed. Even so, our love for the region and what we do remains intact. Our determination to continue expeditions and our commitment to those who welcomed us to the Himalayas almost a quarter century ago and who continue to work by our side has inspired us. It has inspired us to widen our offerings. To provide adventures free from thorny politics, crumbling glaciers, and looming ice-falls. After all, the majesty of the Himalayas should never be locked away.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>So on the eve of our sad Everest news we hope solace can be found knowing that Peak Freaks will not close its doors. Instead it will open paths for adventurers to climb other challenging and awe-inspiring peaks, to take cultural tours through the highest lands of Nepal and Tibet, and to experience unconditionally this magical kingdom we now call our second home.</i></span></div>
Tim Rippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541159445289025384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108015856759765786.post-83005565196557735302015-10-31T10:33:00.002-07:002015-11-03T12:55:14.960-08:00Winter Is Here! Climb update!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, we got skunked by the weather. The good news is that the mountains got some much needed snow - 12cm and building this weekend. The bad news is it's melting almost just as fast as it piled up, <br />
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except for the higher elevations it's sticking.<br />
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We made the call to go for Lobuche summit as soon as we got to base camp for our best shot before we are turned back by high winds. Wind this time of year is the indicator that winter has arrived come Tuesday. Wind and snow combined is the deadly mix for avalanches. Wind forms slabs on fresh snow and when a climber cuts/breaks through the slab, chances are you will have created an avalanche and we avoid this scenario at all costs. <br />
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We got pretty high, almost the summit before the snow got too deep to continue, there were a couple other small teams on the route who turned back yesterday and today so no one has been up for a few days now.<br />
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We gave it our best shot, we had a good work out and a good time while doing it. That's climbing, we climb and test the routes - sometimes we are lucky to stand on top and sometimes we aren't.<br />
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Great group, good fun, staff got to work, we climbed!<br />
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**More photos to follow in a few days of the climbing in action.<br />
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<b>Yak Tales </b><br />
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We got a note from Herman who was in Pheriche that's worth repeating. He went to bed very tired at 8pm and was woken at 1:00am when a yak who somehow got on the roof of the lodge fell through. This doesn't happen everyday. Hope the yak is ok!<br />
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I remember when we used to sleep in the yak barn in Pangboche before the new lodges were built. It was common practice to move the yaks outside to hang about to accommodate climbers. If someone went out at night to relieve themselves and didn't latch the door well enough when coming back in, we'd often wake up with some welcomed added heat next to us, but with pretty smelly breath.<br />
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The good ole' days.<br />
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Tim<br />
<a href="http://www.peakfreaks.com/">www.peakfreaks.com</a><br />
<a href="http://peakfreaks.com/everest_mountaineering_course.htm">http://peakfreaks.com/everest_mountaineering_course.htm</a><br />
<a href="http://peakfreaks.com/lobuche.htm">http://peakfreaks.com/lobuche.htm</a><br />
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<br />Tim Rippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541159445289025384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108015856759765786.post-63384609191888301702015-10-27T16:27:00.003-07:002015-10-28T08:54:27.621-07:00Psst! We Love our Job! As we walk the lonely trails of the Khumbu today we are among only a very small number of <br />
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trekkers and next to no climbers during what is normally the busiest tourism season for Himalayan routes. Some lodge and homeowners qualified for government loans ranging from $20,000US to $40,000US to rebuild after the earth quake are now left in a situation of considerable loss paying 15% <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Will Goodon photo: Dry peaks, empty lodges. </td></tr>
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interest on these loans.<br />
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Budgets were extended to bring in enough food and fuel to accommodate what they had hoped would be a healthy come back of tourists. Sadly this is not the case. I've never seen it so quiet and everyone is starting to get very concerned what will become of their businesses and livelihood.<br />
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Many Sherpa families educate their children in private schools in Kathmandu or abroad, and some are fortunate to afford sending them to universities. Many men in the city and remote villages are leaving the country to work in place like Dubai and may never have the means to return again as they have to pay back their airfare, or worse yet, die.<br />
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Excerpt: Asianews.it<br />
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<i><span class="articolo_dossier" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, 'MS sans serif'; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 8px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Many Nepali migrant workers dying in Saudi Arabia, but Riyadh blames "natural causes"</span></span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, 'MS sans serif';" /><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="autore" style="color: #000099; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, 'MS sans serif'; font-size: 9px;">by Christopher Sharma </span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, 'MS sans serif';" /><span class="sottotitolo" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, 'MS sans serif'; font-size: 10px;">Since 2000, more than 7,500 Nepalis working in Arab countries have died under suspicious circumstances: 3,500 in Saudi Arabia alone, 65 since October 2013. Kathmandu launches an investigation to shed light on the deaths. </span><span class="sottotitolo" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, 'MS sans serif'; font-size: x-small;">Doctors and human rights groups blame torture and violence against foreign workers.</span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I</span>n Qatar-One Nepalese migrant worker dies every two days. <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/23/qatar-nepal-workers-world-cup-2022-death-toll-doha">http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/23/qatar-nepal-workers-world-cup-2022-death-toll-doha</a></i><br />
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As a guide myself working the mountains alongside my Sherpa staff, I get really miffed at the press who portray outfitters as "<i>forcing"</i> our staff to work in their beautiful homeland sharing it with the world while being at arms length to their families allowing them to go home for rest days and play with their children, hug their wives and go back to work in a day or two. They are working with their brothers and friends. Each season the excitement builds for them as they prepare for the season, just like guides at home. They love it! I love it! all guides love this work. The rewards are incredible and yes there is risk but not as much as industrial hazards. There! I said it! I don't know any guide that doesn't love his job. My wife doesn't like me being at risk climbing just like my friends wives don't like it, but it's what I do, it's what they do, and we all love it. We share the beauty- the experience and offer safe approaches to the sport and teach respect of the environment while doing it.<br />
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Mountaineering and heli-skiing have preserved mountains for sometime. In Canada there was an <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Will Goodon receiving Lama Geshe's blessing for safe passage.<br />
Lama Geshe is second to the Dali Lama. </td></tr>
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area I guided in that was slated to be logged. Those forest stands were spared because our operator was able to prove that more tax dollars could be created for the Canadian government in tourism dollars than if if they logged it and cashed out the idilic skiable terrain.<br />
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I see the same situation here whereas the Khumbu's mountains could easily be ripped open and mined <br />
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in the future because of the thirst of the two super powers on each of it's borders. Or perhaps power plants being built alongside streams of what was once famed trekking routes. I fear this, I fear this a lot. It will be a very sad day not hearing the yak bells strolling, or the Sherpa men and woman singing as they work the trails. Sad, sad day!<br />
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Ok, that's my rant! We are all doing good up here. Visited Lama Geshi today in Pangboche and everyone is now peacefully sleeping in Pheriche. Pangboche took a beating from the earth quake, many of the homes here are very very old and not built very well. Lots of reconstruction has gone on here.<br />
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We're all together and looking forward to our outing tomorrow to acclimatize before moving up to camp and in a few days make a summit bid on Lobuche East at 6145m.<br />
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On ward and upward!<br />
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Tim<br />
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<br />Tim Rippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541159445289025384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108015856759765786.post-79294135612739799312015-10-24T10:20:00.004-07:002015-10-24T13:12:18.101-07:00Recognizance of the Khumbu Post Quake<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;">
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Flights are operating as normal Kathmandu to Lukla and the weather is good but definitely quiet. </div>
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<b>Day 1:</b> Trek to Phakding/Monjo: There is an area here that has always been prone to landslides. Anyone who has <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phakding slide area reconstructed</td></tr>
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been here previously would remember the sand slide area after crossing the river in Phakding. This area slid during the earthquake and has been rebuilt by a team of locals. The new trail is actually much improved now, better than the previous one.</div>
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Another area affected near the same location is the largely photographed waterfall, boulders came down changing this area and altered the trail.</div>
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<b>HOMES: </b> The ones built with rounded rocks didn’t stand up too well to the earth quake, but houses that were built with chipped and sculpted stone did well, and ones using mortar faired really well. </div>
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<b>FOOD:</b> There is a lot of food in the Khumbu, all the lodges stocked up for the autumn trek season well before the fuel crisis began. Kathmandu and outlying areas however are suffering with lack of supplies and cooking fuel. </div>
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<b>Day 2:</b> In Namche Bazaar, it's so good to see the village in good shape. I spent the afternoon walking around the village with Tsedam, he showed me the houses that were affected and what they did to rebuild them. The school had been destroyed but is now rebuilt. Tsedam's Home-Away-Home was destroyed. Luckily a lodge in the village fixed it up for housing the children and make a classroom and rented it to Tsedam for his children till he is able to get enough money together to rebuild the one next to his home. It makes it difficult to take care of their day to day needs being further away.<br />
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I passed off a thoughtful gift from bluegrass musician Karen Jungnitsch from the Pine Pass, B.C. A couple of the <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiddle supplies</td></tr>
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girls at the Home-Away-Home are learning to play the fiddle. Karen made them fiddle covers and set them up with CD's, instructional books and other useful fiddle components. </div>
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<i>Yes please! If you want to donate to help with this, get in touch. <a href="mailto:peakfreaks@me.com">peakfreaks@me.com</a> As promised we've been passing off the few personal donations designated to individuals. If you haven't heard back from them yet; it's <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying a nice meal at Tsedam's home.</td></tr>
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because they are working and this is a good thing.</i></div>
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As I walked with Tsedam we talked about the day it happened. Apparently there were huge boulders plummeting down from Kwande Ri adjacent to Namche Bazaar that was frightening for them as they watched. Our concern was the boulders above the village. Tsedam said they sent a team up there to evaluate their stability and reported everything was anchored quite well. This made sleeping at night a lot easier for everyone considering the aftershocks were significant and went on for a for weeks.</div>
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<b>TOURISM</b>: Not as bad as it feels. It feels really quiet but the locals are saying it's down about 50%. The sad part of this story is the governments ongoing mismanagement of the mountaineering industry. Their silly announcement that all climbers must prove climbing to 6600m in order to climb Everest has pushed everyone over on Ama Dablam. Ama Dablam is already ridiculously overcrowded as it is, and a toilet bowl at that, with a hazard of the hanging glacier that is expected to come off at some point. With what we've been watching around the globe recently, you won't find Peak Freaks up there. This was a foolish statement on their part. Climbers- don't buy into it! It's a setup for something else we'll discuss another time. </div>
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Tomorrow we'll head off to Khunde and Khumjung to have a walk around. I expect it will be in good shape. Everyone was quick to do repairs and be ready for the tourist season. </div>
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Tim & Becky Rippel</div>
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Tim Rippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541159445289025384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108015856759765786.post-31980897437113647072015-10-22T12:19:00.001-07:002015-10-27T09:32:45.823-07:00Deja-vu in Kathmandu & Team List<b style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We're happy to announce that we are some of the fortunate to have the trust of our customers to <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kathmandu's fuel dependancy today</td></tr>
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continue with our climbing objectives in the Himalayas post earth quake, thus allowing us to help bring a small number of people back to work, but not without heartache witnessing a country that has just taken a 24 year economic turn back.</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b><br /></b><b>We first came here in 1991 when there was no traffic on the streets and in particular in Thamel. Bikes weren't readily available, only the odd one for rent for a tourist. We remember renting one for a young man we befriended, we asked him to take us for ride around his city. We soon learned this was a bad and dangerous idea as he struggled to stay balanced resulting in a hurdle into a roadside bush of wild hemp. Fortunately vehicular traffic was not a concern back in the day and the bush was forgiving. Walking was the way of life here. Even goods were carried to the shops by cargo porters instead of trucks, their loads were huge and they were exceptionally skilled at the art of weight and balance. Then came the films on Everest, the stories of adventures like no other; the crowds - the money- cars- and motorcycles for everyone and the thirst for fuel followed but with consequences. We know we contributed to this but we also know that we contributed to education, families affording sending their children to private schools and universities around the world. Our wages paid out built homes and hung big screen TV's on walls - Nepal rightfully began to evolve.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></b><b><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">As I walked Thamel, Kathmandu's tourist district tonight I experienced a great sense of deja-vu. It's </span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Durbar Square in the 90's </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">the Dashian festival. The the lucky ones will have found a way to go home to their villages, but there are also many not so lucky. Due to the fuel crisis at the India/Nepal border, bus prices have tripled and no seat is guaranteed. Hundreds resorted to riding on the roof-tops of anything with wheels and a smitten of fuel in the tank. Fuel is $5US a litre, private vehicles are only allowed a litre or two after a 6 hour wait. There is black market fuel circulating at $16US a litre. Taxi's from the airport to the city used to be $5US now $30US. It's a long story how this all came about, it's said that ethnic groups are standing their ground since the release of the new constitution after 8 years of not having one and living in peace. The uprising agains the constitution has brought on violence at the border where fuel trucks from India cross. Research Madhesi and Maoist and landlocked Nepal online if you want to learn more of the complexity of the situation. This situation today is being referenced as <a href="http://www.dcnepal.com/news/bichar.php?nid=4900">Transit Warefare </a>launched on Nepal. China watches closely. </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b><br /></b><b>Tonight we looked everywhere to find a restaurant to have a meal. Signs were up on our favourite restaurants stating "closed due to no fuel and no food" or "closed for earth quake reconstruction. " We've been here before. We recall going into an inviting little establishment for a bite to eat in the 90's. The waiter handed us a menu with just 3 items on it. It took forever to receive what we ordered because the establishment didn't have food. The owner/waiter had to find it at the market but not until he was able to establish some form of credit till we paid our bill. We remember the sweat dripping from his forehead giving everything he had to make this sale happen. It is some of these people that are the owners of some of our favoured restaurants on our "must eat at" list. Sadly due to the the current problems in Nepal they are closed.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b><br /></b><b>Aviation fuel seems to be making it in when needed. We have taken note that a large shipment arrived today. Because of that we are headed up to the Khumbu tomorrow to do a recognizance of Lobuche and other mountains in the area post quake. Our team members are some of my long-time customers from my heli-ski guiding days in Canada joined with some new friends. I'm looking very forward to getting back and checking in my friends in the Khumbu and learn more on how the two disasters have affected them.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b>Our team!</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b>1. Tim Rippel- Expedition leader/Guide</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b>2. Ang Karsung Sherpa- Base Manager</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>3. Desh Kumar - Cook</b></span></span><br />
<b style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px;">4. Nima Sherpa- Guide</b><br />
<b style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px;">5. Paul Pargeter- USA</b><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b>6. Greg Pickel- USA</b></span></span><br />
<b style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px;">7. Scott Dricoll-USA</b><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b>8. Herman Hull- USA</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b>9. Jason Snell- Australia</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b>10. Will Goodon- Canada</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b>11. Rob Seeley- Canada</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b>12. Patricia Harris Seeley- Canada</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b><br /></b><b>Tim & Becky Rippel</b></span><br />
<a href="http://www.peakfreaks.com/" style="color: #dd7700; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;"><b><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">www.peakfreaks.com</span></b></a>Tim Rippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541159445289025384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108015856759765786.post-30435035115313563152015-07-19T09:23:00.000-07:002015-07-19T09:23:00.339-07:00Nepalese Airline Stepping Up Safety <br />
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<span style="color: white;">Tara Air, the airline Peak Freaks uses for flights to Lukla has added a faculty new Viking DHC6 400 Twin Otter aircraft to its fleet. The second aircraft is due to arrive in September increases safety. </span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span><i><span style="color: white;">"Roshan Regmi, marketing manager of Tara Air, said the Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft boasts cutting edge avionics technology with an integrated full glass cockpit that features the Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS), Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) to prevent from crashes, and full-color weather radar to show weather conditions.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: white;">Canada-based Viking Air had purchased type certificate of the legendary DHC6-300 Twin Otter aircraft from De Havilland in 2005. “It is the most versatile and successful STOL aircraft ever built and it was brought back into production in 2008 as the new Viking Series 400 Twin Otter,” Tara Air said in a statement on Wednesday. “The Series 400 Twin Otter picks up where the original de Havilland Series 300 Twin Otter left off, introducing upgraded Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34 engines, fully integrated Honeywell Primus Apex digital avionics suite, use of composite materials and approximately 800 other modifications incorporated to improve on the original series 300 aircraft.”</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: white;">According to the statement, the Series 400 retains its ability to safely operate in the most remote and rugged environments in the world, from the sub-zero Antarctica, the hottest deserts in North Africa, the open waters of the Indian Ocean to the mountainous region of the Himalayas. No other Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) aircraft in the world has proven to be as versatile, the statement claimed.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: white;">Regmi said that the aircraft will be brought into operation within two weeks, fulfilling all required procedures. He said the new aircraft will be operated in remote STOL airfields of the country like Lukla, Phaplu, Jomsom, Dolpo and Simikot. “The new aircraft will play a vital role in transporting trekkers, local inhabitants and foodstuffs to and from these remote regions,” he added.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: white;">Tara Air plans to gradually replace its entire fleet of Series 300 and Dornier Do 228-212 aircraft with the new Viking Series 400 aircraft.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: white;">“Our second Viking 400 Series aircraft will arrive in September,” said Regmi.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: white;">Tara Air has brought the aircraft on lease for 12 months with an option to purchase after that. The aircraft costs US$ 6.9 million."</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Source:</span><span style="color: #818181;"> </span><a href="http://www.myrepublica.com/economy/item/24632-tara-air-adds-new-aircraft-to-its-fleet.html" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.3s ease-in-out; border: 0px; color: #0489c0; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Myrepublica</a> <a href="http://peakfreaks.com/">Peak Freaks Expeditions</a> <a href="mailto:peakfreaks@me.com">peakfreaks@me.com </a></div>
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Tim Rippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541159445289025384noreply@blogger.com0