From the reps around the world

AUSTRALIA
Lyn Taylor

On the Australian home front it has been very quiet although the mail and cheques have been coming in thick and fast. Many many thanks to all of those donors who kindly delivered clothes, boots, sleeping bags, etc. to my front door. Thai Airways is still supporting IPPG by allowing an extra 10kgs of donations per person. A big thank you to those clients of Lyn Taylor's Adventure Travel who took clothes to Nepal throughout 2004.

Thanks to Peregrine for taking over 3 bags of clothing in October. While these were not clothes for the porters to use while trekking, they did go to the families of porters who appreciated them very much.

Coralie Hicks (IPPG Rep) has been busy getting support from Kathmandu stores. They have donated many new fleece tops, thermals and trekking shirts. Thanks to the staff at the Sydney Kathmandu store.

After once again trekking the Inca Trail in 2004, I called in to see the staff at the Inca Nan office in Cuzco to drop off 50 kg of clothing donations. Unlike the porters in Nepal, the porters in Peru are well equipped for trekking. I was told, however, that the Inca Nan office was desperate for cash rather than clothing, but what I took over was very much appreciated.

In Australia we have received many donations of cash this year and I would like to say a special thank you to all of those people who donated; a lot of donations were due to Jim's medical trek to Gokyo. Thanks you all!

In 2005 I hope to continue my work for IPPG with the help of Coralie Hicks (Sydney), Kirsty Robertson (Central Coast) and Ken Chamberlain (Melbourne).

CANADA
Elsie James and Wanda Vivequin

One of the big efforts in 2004 was organizing a fundraiser in Vancouver with internationally acclaimed climber Doug Scott (CBE) from Community Action Nepal (CAN). Wanda had already helped him in New Zealand with his presentations there and seeing as he was passing through Vancouver we decided to make the most of the opportunity.

On August 6 a near capacity crowd gathered at the HR MacMillan Space Centre to hear Scott speak about his mountain adventures illustrated by breathtaking photographs. The audience was on the edge of their seats and mentally on the mountains with Doug throughout the presentation.

The evening was co-sponsored by the Vancouver Branch of Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) and IPPG – Canada. Elsie James, Canadian Coordinator for IPPG, was MC for the event. Dr Trish Batchelor attended and added to the evening with a very interesting report and slides of her work from the previous season at Machermo. Ticket sales and a raffle of Nepal books and memorabilia donated by Elsie James plus a daypack given by MEC, netted a total of Can$1909. The proceeds were shared equally between Doug’s organization, Community Action Nepal (CAN) and IPPG for the sole benefit of the Porter Rescue Post at Machermo. In addition, Doug auctioned several posters and prints of his photographs, including one of the Hillary Step, autographed by Sir Edmund Hillary. The auction raised another $1100 for CAN projects.

Many thanks to Kate Schultz and MEC who provided invaluable support by supplying posters and advertising through local media, as well as networking with outdoor clubs in the Lower Mainland area of BC.

A professor in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta, Dr Pearlann Reichwein included the issue of portering as a case study in her third year Philosophy of Leisure Class. Dr Reichwein had attended an IPPG presentation given by Wanda at the University last year and decided to follow this up by including the issue in one of her classes. She showed the video Carrying the Burden and then discussed the matter with her students, dividing them into three groups...tourists, porters and tour operators. Dr Reichwein said the debate was spirited and meaningful and she is keen to use the material when she teaches the class again possibly later in 2005.

In Edmonton Wanda spoke about IPPG to a capacity crowd at the local MEC store as well as a full house at the Grant MacEwan Mountain Club. Both of these events included draw prizes and raised not just awareness but several hundred dollars.

Clothing and boots for porters were collected from generous Edmontonians and transported to Nepal by people trekking with Wanda in October/November 2004. Thanks!

NEPAL
Prakash Adhikari

In 2004 a porter training workshop was held in Kathmandu where 250 participants took part. There was an excellent talk and multimedia presentation on safety and welfare of the porter which was important from both the aspect of promoting IPPG and covering the issues.

A mountain safety training workshop was also held with 58 porters taking part for two days of intensive work. Major trekking agencies, senior government officials took part as well and the event was inaugurated by the Honorable Mrs Yankila Sherpa.

NEW ZEALAND
Cheska Hadleigh and Wanda Vivequin

This last year IPPG work has involved emptying the bins set up in the Bivouac stores, packaging the good packs, boots, tents, etc. and linking in with World Expeditions travellers and organizing for the stuff to get to Kathmandu (there is a negotiated deal with Thai Airlines re 10kg free excess). The bags were picked up by the Porter's Progress representative and added to the clothing bank.

In June Wanda Vivequin (IPPG rep for Canada) was in NZ and helped Doug Scott with his presentations in Christchurch. Money from these presentations went towards the Machermo Porter Shelter and Rescue Post. She managed to get a substantial feature about portering issues published in the Christchurch Press as well as the New Zealand Alpine Club annual journal. Payment for the newspaper article was donated to the Machermo project.

Thank you Cheska for all your hard work with IPPG. Cheska has decided to step down from her position as NZ IPPG representative.

It is with great pleasure that we welcome Chris Henderson as the new official New Zealand IPPG rep. Chris will be assisted by two of his close friends, Iona and Dave. This is great news indeed and we are looking forward to a long term working relationship!

USA and AUSTRIA
Bernhard Fassl

I am the Utah representative and have ties to Austria, so let me combine both reports:

Activities and achievements:

• Slide shows
• Presentations on the medical problems of porters at high altitude to medical and non medical audiences
• Information pamphlets at major sports stores
• Donation of a medical Pulse Oximeter for the Machermo Porter Rescue Post

My goals for 2005/06:

• Continue projects mentioned above
• As I work in a hospital with many physicians interested in working abroad I would love to establish a connection between the University of Utah and the Porter Rescue Post and help US physicians to become medical volunteers
• Increase the donation of medical supplies, especially hardware.

Bernhard paid for all his printing expenses etc himself (over US$200) Ed