A (2,000-km-120 day) marathon to save Everest glaciers
by Kalpit Parajuli
The idea comes from Apa Sherpa, record Everest climber. The expedition will cover all of Nepal’s 20 Himalayan districts. Climbers, researchers and scientists will come along to study the impact of climate change on the mountain chain, South Asia’s main source of fresh water.
Kathmandu (AsiaNews) – Apa Sherpa (pictured) plans a 1,700-kilometre marathon to save the Himalaya from the effects of climate change. For the 51-year-old guide who has climbed Mt Everest a record 21 times, this initiative will highlight the worrisome decline in the glacier cover on the Roof of the World.
The 11-member expedition will trek along a 1,700-km long route on the 120 day-long Great Himalaya Trail (GHT), from East to West, reaching eight of the ten highest mountains in the world. The group of climbers and scientists will set off from Taplejung, in the northeastern Nepal, making their way to Darchula in the northwest, across Nepal’s 20 Himalayan districts.
Since 2009, Apa and his team have toured different cities in Europe and America and met dozens of mountaineers, political leaders and the public to draw their attention towards mountains and their vulnerability to rising temperatures.
Asia’s main rivers start on the slopes of the mountain chain, source of freshwater for 1.2 billion people. Glacier melting and a decrease in snow would cause more droughts in the region, endangering its people.
Speaking to AsiaNews, Apa acknowledged that many people are skeptical about global warming and its consequences. However, “Coming from a Sherpa community and climbing the mountains for years, I have witnessed changes in the Himalayas like decrease in snow and glacier melting and formation of glacial lakes.”
For the mountain guide, the marathon is not just a media show, but has specific scientific goals. During the trek, a team of experts will collect samples and material to further the study of climate change in the region so as to help better understand how local economies can cope with changes and survive in the future.
The 11-member expedition will trek along a 1,700-km long route on the 120 day-long Great Himalaya Trail (GHT), from East to West, reaching eight of the ten highest mountains in the world. The group of climbers and scientists will set off from Taplejung, in the northeastern Nepal, making their way to Darchula in the northwest, across Nepal’s 20 Himalayan districts.
Since 2009, Apa and his team have toured different cities in Europe and America and met dozens of mountaineers, political leaders and the public to draw their attention towards mountains and their vulnerability to rising temperatures.
Asia’s main rivers start on the slopes of the mountain chain, source of freshwater for 1.2 billion people. Glacier melting and a decrease in snow would cause more droughts in the region, endangering its people.
Speaking to AsiaNews, Apa acknowledged that many people are skeptical about global warming and its consequences. However, “Coming from a Sherpa community and climbing the mountains for years, I have witnessed changes in the Himalayas like decrease in snow and glacier melting and formation of glacial lakes.”
For the mountain guide, the marathon is not just a media show, but has specific scientific goals. During the trek, a team of experts will collect samples and material to further the study of climate change in the region so as to help better understand how local economies can cope with changes and survive in the future.
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