It was only a few months ago that Will Cruz, The Berg Adventures Sherpa Team, Wally and Deirdre from BAI office, and our crack video team, Dave Morton and Tom Grimshaw, sat getting buried at Everest Base Camp during the October 2014 snows that blanketed Nepal. Will had just accomplished the Guinness Book of World Records highest altitude gaming record on the summit of Kala Patar. Gamers and adventure lovers from around the world were watching. “Far Cry 4” was about to be released and we were in Nepal to be on scene in advance of the release.

In recent days we have been getting messages and calls from the Ubisoft team worldwide. Offices in the US and Canada as well as the Corporate Head Office in Paris have contacted us. Ubisoft remembers Nepal!

We think this fund raising campaign is a superb way to contribute. Double your donated dollars for relief to Nepal!

Nepal Region Earthquake Fund – Ubisoft OTG Don

We want to report at the end of two long days that the Sherpa and other Nepalese friends that members of the Berg Adventures community know are fine. They have all communicated with us. Please feel free to contact us about anyone who you are wondering about, but know that if it is someone you trekked, climbed or toured with on a BAI trip in Nepal, they are well.

The two terrible earthquakes, with two separate epicentres, that occurred on April 25th and 26th, 2015, and the subsequent aftershocks, were perhaps inevitable. It has been known for many years that a quake at least as large as the 1934 event that destroyed the original Tangboche Monastery was a high probability event in Nepal. Many of our BAI clients who love Nepal will remember walking the narrow streets of Kathmandu and commenting “these buildings would crumble in an earthquake”. Some of these buildings did, including some of the priceless ancient temples of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan Durbar Squares.

Most Nepalese people live simple, dignified but venerable lives. Whether you have been to Nepal before or not, you will also know that the spirit of Nepalese people and the kindness, grace and humility that they embody, shines through tragic times again and again. Life goes on.

Everest and the other supremely high and beautiful peaks above the Khumbu Valley draw us because of the sheer, unimaginably awesome power of nature. The are terrible, graceful, beautiful, endlessly life enriching places , and they can be fatal. The Sherpas know this religiously. Those of us with mountains in our soul sense it from deep within and are pulled back again and again to be renewed and to take spiritual nourishment, but we must also go with humility and remember that our motivations are our own; we are responsible for them.

Nepal has given so much to us and Nepal needs us now. Many people are reaching out and asking what can be done. We have some suggestions.

1. Set some funds aside and determine that you will watch Nepal over the next 6 months to one year to see where needs are highest. In the meantime, Core International and The Juniper Fund (links below) are two organizations we know personally will put money to work to empower people to live lives with dignity and self worth. Small scale. International relief and rescue missions from India, US, China, the UK and many other countries are sending aid into Kathmandu at this time. These are already funded. If we know of a medical or housing situation that cannot be handled without support in the coming days we will identify it and post where you can help. But for now get ready for the long haul in terms of helping Nepal. The rebuilding will take years and the needs for development that existed before the quake will remain.
2. Travel to Nepal. Sometime in the next two or three years if you can. If you have been before, return (you know you want to). If you have dreamed of going, go. Travel, tourism, culture exchange is one of the brightest things in Nepal’s future. You do not have to do a three week trek to Base Camp, although that is a wonderful trip if you can take the time. You do not have to go with Berg Adventures, you do not have to climb a mountain or raise money for a cause back home. Go for Nepal, go for yourself. Experience the people, learn and give.
3. Watch the Berg Adventures Facebook page and our blogs at www.bergadventures.com. We will keep tabs on rescue, relief and rebuilding efforts, and we invite you to participate.

Berg Adventures Recommend Organizations to Help People of Nepal:

• Core International
• The Juniper Fund

Camping on the banks of the majestic Lake Sary-Chelek

Perched high in the Tien-Shen Mountains of Central Asia is a region full of deep crystal lakes, great trekking passes and mighty mountain peaks. Lake Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve offers unique opportunities for trekkers to explore the high passes of western Kyrgyzstan.

Trekking through the Tien-Shen Mountain Trails

Beginning in the ancient city of Osh, at the base of Solomon’s Mountain (UNESCO World Heritage Site), this Berg Adventures itinerary is designed to introduce you to this fascinating region of Central Asia. From the 3,000 year old city, famous for the oldest and largest Asian outdoor market, to the remote passes of the Tien-Shen Mountains, this two week journey will be unlike any other, offering stark and beautiful contrasts in scenery, from desert to alpine forests.

From the ancient city of Osh to the lush green forests of the mountains

As an extension to the Tien-Shen Mountain expedition BAI will be offering a trip to Lenin Peak Base Camp. This 7,134 meter (23,400 feett) mountain is a towering gem of the Pamir Mountain Range, south of Osh.

Lenin Peak Base Camp in the morning light

Yaks and Yurts along the Silk Road! This is a superb opportunity to trek through two of the great mountain ranges of Asia, The Tien-Shen and the Pamirs.

We would love for you to join us on this special BAI expedition. For more information or to sign up for the memorable adventure contact us for details.

All year personal trainer Terri Truman has been giving us great information on how to properly train for fitness and adventure goals. She is wrapping up the year with information on periodized training.

Read Terri’s article Periodization Training to learn how breaking your long term fitness goals into smaller, measurable sub-goals will help to make your aims much more realistic.

In 2015 Terri plans to embark on her next great adventure with BAI. Don’t forget to follow her in the New Year as she outlines her training programs and helps you prepare for the mountains.

Are you looking for the perfect gift for that special someone? Berg Adventures has the perfect gift idea – the gift of adventure! Just specify the amount you wish to spend and we can send the gift cards to you or directly to your friends or family. All BAI gift cards are transferable and do not expire. If you already have one of our adventures in mind, just let us know and we can mail the gift card with an information package. After all we are always here ready to help you and yours prepare for your next great adventure!

Contact us for details!

Terri Truman has been offering us amazing information on what to eat, how to stay hydrated and how to keep your core strong, all in preparation for her next level of training.

Terri is now ready to get you started with some great exercises to help motivate you and enhance your training program. These exercises will focus primarily on Quadriceps, hamstrings and glutes movement – hip extension and knee extension.

Read about Terri’s fitness routine in her article body squats. For more helpful fitness and training tips visit BAI’s Expedition Prep page.

Are you looking for a special way to spend your next birthday or the birthday of a loved one? Berg Adventures knows how to celebrate, even in the most extreme places on earth – at Everest Base Camp, on the summit of Kilimanjaro and on the slopes of Aconcagua to name just a few of the extraordinary places. We always go out of our way to make your day unique and special!

What better way to enter a new year than with a unique or challenging adventure with your family? For a list of adventures that are great for the whole family, check out our list of suggestions.

Birthday celebrations in Ecuador

Climbers and staff celebrate high on Kilimanjaro

It wouldn’t be a true celebration without birthday cake!