The entire world stands in shock, at the news of the collapse of a glacier in Nepal, which was followed by a massive landslide, on Wednesday 26 August. The death toll stood at over 350 at time of writing, while thousands are missing; among them, hundreds of mountaineers. At the same time, every responsible person in the Western world feels party to this drama, and expresses apologies to the people of Nepal. Why so? There are 2 reasons.
The snow covered mountains of Nepal have lost ~ ⅓ of their ice within the last 30 years, owing to global warming. And global warming is, by and large, the result of reckless management of the earth’s resources, in the hunt for escalating profits by western entities.
Then there is a 2nd cause of disasters such as the current one. This is the thirst for novel experiences by affluent consumers who travel to places still unconquered by mass tourism. Nepal has been a prime destination. The consequence is irreparable damage to the natural environment and infrastructure of the target areas. In the case of the Himalayas, the rise of mountaineers is cataclysmic, reaching ~1000 per month attempting mount Everest. This figure is daunting. For perspective, between 1953, when Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay conquered Everest and 2001, there have been just 1000 such climbs!
In the words of Norbu Tenzing, son of Tenzing Norgay and President of the American Himalayan Foundation, Everest has become a place ‘resembling a playground, for individuals hungry for thrills and social recognition’, while Sherpa guides and the local population are living in poverty, risking their lives.
The Cyprus Strollers have been, over their 12 years of activity, and will continue to advocate responsible hiking. Join us as of 3rd October, for season number 25.
The Cyprus Strollers 