| Rejane
Belanger |
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For a second year a large
international adventure travel company has set a new standard
of porter care for their porters trekking above the tree line
in the Himalayas. They have been providing dedicated tents,
blankets and mats, all meals and drinks cooked by the trekkers'
cook on kerosene, full protective clothing and boots, and
insurance for chopper rescue.
The benefits are obvious. It is warmly welcomed by trek leaders,
sherpas, porters and trekkers. Everyone involved feels more
comfortable (specially the porters!). It enables the leader
to keep a close eye on the porters, reducing the risk of illness
and injury. There is no wood/juniper destruction and last
but not least the trekkers have a much closer interaction
with their porters.
While some small and medium sized companies have been doing
similar things for years, this is the first time that I know
a major company has undertaken full responsibility for its
porters and the environment.
It is my impression that sleeping bags are not necessarily
needed but mats and blankets are. All porters carry blankets
and make a huddle in their tent which are like hot houses
even in very cold weather. There are exceptions where sleeping
bags are needed for porters, eg. round Dhaulagiri, Ampho Lapsa,
but these trips are more expeditionary anyway.
Companies that undertake this standard of care pay less money
to the porters as food, cooking and shelter are provided.
This is reasonable and the porters I have talked to prefer
the catered option because they are safer and warmer and can
take the same amount of money home.
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