yes, of course include a Nepali language part of a broadcast too.....I don't think it has to be some exotic specific thing that requires extra cost/fees by trekkers....all it takes is taking avbl info from various sources in Nepal and online already specifically tailored for this. Weather info is already broadcast on radio, it would just be someone tailoring a broadcast for freezing levels, winds at altitude, approaching weather systems, barometric pressure and the like. Readily available now...it just takes some existing person in one of the many govt agencies---TAAN maybe, or the tourist ministry to gather it. OR someone in the weather dept of the govt of Nepal can easily gather the info from their own or online sources in use by climbers etc and tailor that and put it out to various radio stations via email on a daily basis at a set time----it isn't that big of a deal and the last thing we need is another bureaucracy to something so straightforward.
Is this thread still going on ?. Well I went over Larke about 8 days ago and although it was clear there was still a lot of snow up there. But guess what it appears that nobody has learnt a thing. There was one Nepali porter with a pair of converse pumps on and another with a pair of crocks on with socks over the outside for extra grip !!!. Unbelievable!!!
It should not be happening anyway but trek companies and trekkers, if must be, must insist on adequate gear for porters---and that they use it as appropriate. But they should at least have it.
ok, sounds fair points , i thought there might be more costs involved. but that begs the question: if a radio weather warning forecast is cheap and easy to setup why isn't it done alreeady?
Because it is Nepal and they have no idea what they are doing? And even for the knowledgeable and concerned individuals sprinkled throughout the govt agencies etc they could never get it thru the vast and corrupt bureaucracies and politicians in the govt....no one will make any decisions unless it benefits them directly, can not possible make them responsible for anything (thus jeopardizing their existing position), and doesn't interfere with other's bakshish fiefdoms. See TAAN.
Yes, and add to that, this whole incident is manna from heaven for TAAN -- the absolutely mouth-watering opportunity for them to finally get the mandatory guide requirement thru...
So what actually happened up there ?I read reports from the tea hut at the top of the pass that the owner was closing up shop in middle of storm.
#196#
Like you I would like to know more about this.
I also read there was a porter involved who died found with a lot of cash on his body.
Read about this in Gaurdian.co.uk
yes, i kinda thought the reality would be something like that. the post-storm declarations from the nepali govt/TAAN so far all seem to be extra ways for them to profit.
but it does suggest that there's space for an NGO to provide a mountain weather/warning service. interesting job for someone(s) to put together.
Again I do not think we need a new structure---no special NGOs, no new taxes on trekkers, etc etc....way back on this thread as well in other threads concerning wx availability for AC and mtns in Nepal many links to internal and external wx sources were provided. The info is already out there (wx is already broadcast on Nepali tv and radio).....all that has to be done is get some guy, a Nepali in the whatever Nepali wx service exists now or a TAAN designated person if they are truly so concerned about the safety of trekkers, to gather some of these links together, monitor them, and make a pretty much standard broadcast with current and/or forecast wx info via some sort of audio link or email to a preselected group of radio station addressees in Nepal for broadcast throughout the country, in Nepali and English at a set time or or if a developing situation warrants/ at any time.
And hopefully lodge owners, guides etc will make an effort to receive/obtain the info that is broadcast at a set time as awareness of the new 'service/info' becomes known. ....trekkers should then pester guides and lodge owners, especially at higher altitudes and before passes etc requesting what was said. Trek agencies can monitor the broadcasts too and if the situations warrants phone or text guides and hope for reception---nothing is perfect in Nepal but do let 'the perfect be the enemy of the good' ...pretty soon people will be paying attn to the broadcast as it will be expected that this knowledge is wanted and useful and it will become an established part of trekking to whatever extent it can work in Nepal for all types of trekkers......it really doesn't seem that difficult.....I have given it no thought other than off the top of my head here while writing this so surely someone knowledgeable and concerned and in Nepal can make come up with a workable scenario.
Roger
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