Nepal bracing for Everest 'traffic jams' and danger
Nepal faces growing concerns over too many, and often unprepared, climbers on the world's top peak.
Nepal
February 22, 2016: Tengboche Monastery, Nepal
Situated in the Khumbu region of Nepal, surrounded by the beautiful Himalayan mountains, this Buddhist monastery is half way point to the Everest Base Camp.
Nepal's Sherpas help rebuild Norway hiking paths
Sherpas from Nepal, famed for their high-altitude work, have been rebuilding Norway's network of mountain pathways.
Namche Bazaar, Nepal. Where Gumbo Was (#119)
One of the most memorable places I've ever visited was the Khumbu region of Nepal, home of the friendly Sherpa people. The main town in this region is Namche Bazaar, the solution to this week's travel puzzle. Congratulations to...
Nepal's new airliner comes packed with relief supplies
Nepal Airlines took delivery of its second new A320 in Hamburg yesterday (April 29) and, taking advantage of the planned delivery flight, German relief agencies loaded it with 5 tons of relief supplies for the earthquake stricken nation. A team of...
China plans rail tunnel through Mt. Everest
A few weeks ago, we reported on China's rail connections to Western Europe , and not long after that on Russia's interest in a new trans-Siberian road and railroad that could link Europe to North America. Now, China is giving serious...
India's army declares war on Mt. Everest 'junkyard'
Following complaints last month by Nepal's Sherpas that Mount Everest had become the "world's highest junkyard," littered with food trash, human waste and unwanted equipment, India's army mountaineers will join a team of Sherpas on clean-up duty....
Sherpa complaint: climbers leaving Everest a cesspit
As the numbers of climbers rise to several hundred a year on Mount Everest, local guides and residents are complaining that the issue of human waste (for which there are no real facilities at the climbing camps) is creating a disgusting and unhealthy...
Swayambunath Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal. Where Gumbo Was #55
Congratulations to MAD Travel Diaries for recognizing the Swayambunath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal! It's also known as the " Monkey Temple " because of the large number of (mean spirited) monkeys that have all but taken over this complex...
World's most dangerous airport? Would you land here? Lukla, Nepal
I've had some gut-wrenching plane landings (and take-offs) in my days. The first as a young medical student flying with a bush pilot to remote First Nation (American Indian) villages in Western Ontario. The plane was outfitted with...
Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Sept. 24, 2013: Namche Bazaar, Khumbu Region, Nepal
Namche Bazaar is the main town of the Sherpa people, in the Khumbu region of Nepal. It's located at 3400 m (11,300') above sea level, built on the steep slopes of the hill you see in this photo. The town is a popular place for hikers and...