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Wanting
to help with Kili porters
Eighteen
months ago, my family and I climbed Kilimanjaro via the Machame
route. While there, we learnt of the difficulties porters
and guides have getting hold of adequate weatherproof equipment,
and we agreed that on our return we would try to organise
some sort of charitable effort to help address this need.
Having already decided on a project of this sort, further
evidence of the need came when we learnt on the plane home
that three porters had died of exposure on the same route
the week after we completed it.
My wife
and I would be happy to devote some time and effort to doing
something for Tanzanian porters and would be grateful if you
could let us know how our efforts could be put to best use.
I look forward to hearing from you.
MN
Dear
MN
There
are a number of ways you can help. Cash can help fund initiatives
on the mountain through the Kilimanjaro Porter Assistance
Program and the new Kilimanjaro Guides and Porters Union (www.kilimanjaro-union.com).
Publicizing the issue whenever possible is also a help. Finally
helping by collecting clothing has proven very useful in the
past. It is relatively easy to collect old fleece and wind-shell
either from friends, the public or via outdoor shops. When
you have a couple of kit bags we will put you in touch with
someone going out to Tanzania who will ferry the gear. We
have a number of contacts in the travel industry who are willing
to oblige. This gear would be dropped off at the porter clothing
bank in Moshi for labelling ready to loan out to porters.
The Moshi Clothing Bank is short of gear at the moment.
Thanks again Editor
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Maximum
weight for porters
Having hiked the Machu Picchu Trail in Peru in July 2003,
I was pleased to see that porters packs are weighed each day
to ensure they don't exceed 25kgs. Is there any possibility
of this being introduced in Nepal? I'm sure one porter on
my trek in Annapurna region in 2002 was carrying at least
40 kgs each day
KC
Dear
KC,
This is a very good idea. In fact the weighing station system
is also used on Kilimanjaro. However, in both situations bribery
occurs to circumvent the weigh in. For this system to be implemented
in Nepal the National Parks will need to be involved which
means lobbying and discussion with the parks authorities.
We will add this to our agenda.
Editor
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Deaths
on Kilimanjaro
7/6/03
I'm very sad to report that two porters died on Mt Kilimanjaro
last Saturday. It was raining very heavy that night, I too
was on the mountain. The porters did not have the proper clothing
and they died of hypothermia. The really sad news was that
they were not part of a tour operation, but hired by the Kili
park to move supplies to a higher camp. I hope this gets back
to them in a strong way.....
KG
Dear
KG,
When I was coming down Kilimanjaro in February this year I
passed the spot where these two porters died of hypothermia.
There was a low cairn of stones in the shape of a cross which
was strewn with flowers. Very sad indeed. On the way up the
Rongai route a few days earlier I had seen the porters from
another group crossing the saddle at 4200 meters in a steady
sleet of rain and snow. They had no wind shell clothing and
if there had been any wind they would have been in big trouble.
Has anything been learned? Companies say they give the gear
to porters, but the porters sell it. IPPG suggests that all
treks carry the correct gear for their porters and loan it
out when it is needed (rather than give it) and retrieve it
on the way down.
Editor
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Purchasing
insurance for guide/porters
I will be trekking in Nepal in May. I want to hire an independent
guide. Can you tell me where and how I can purchase insurance
for the guide/porter whilst I am in Kathmandu?
TS
There
are a few ways for an independent trekker to deal with insurance
-
1) Hire the porter directly, but then go to a trekking company
and have them arrange the insurance only.
2) Hire the porter, and bring him/her to one of our offices
in Kathmandu or Lukla.
We
can arrange an insurance policy. Technically, we cannot be
responsible for/involved in the direct hiring of porters as
we are a non-profit, but we are more than happy to fill out
the forms for insurance and see that the policy is completed
successfully. If you are thinking of hiring at the trailhead
in Lukla, our office can arrange one there. If you are thinking
of the same in the Annapurna area, then please see us in Kathmandu
before you head to Pokhara - we can fill out the policy and
then insert the name once you have hired the individual. Good
luck with your trek, and let me know if I can help in any
other way.
Ben Ayers
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IPPG
ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO GO TREKKING AND TO DO SO IN A NON-EXPLOITATIVE,
SUSTAINABLE WAY
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