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Reincarnate Lama Returns to Thame!

August 12th, 2015
“Thame Tulku” 6-year-old Sonam is the reincarnate lama

“Thame Tulku” 6-year-old Sonam is the reincarnate lama

On July 30, 2015, the village of Thame took part in a historic religious event: the new Rinpoche, or reincarnate lama, made his first trip in this life to Thame. Being recognized as the reincarnation of the High Lama, Nawang Tsering Dodub, 6-year-old Sonam will carry on the traditions and practices of a Tulku.

The young Rinpoche will carry on the traditions of Tulku

The young Rinpoche will carry on the traditions of Tulku

“Thame Tulku”, as he is now referred to, was formally taken to the Thame Monastery on July 30. He made his farewell from his home in Jorsalle, Solukhumbu into the Thame monastery, passing through Namche and other villages while being blessed and celebrated for his reappearance in this lifetime.

Making the journey from Jorsalle to Thame

Making the journey from Jorsalle to Thame

The people of the Khumbu waiting to welcome the Rinpoche

The people of the Khumbu waiting to welcome the Rinpoche

Ready to welcome Thame Tulku back to Thame in a new life

Ready to welcome Thame Tulku back to Thame in a new life

In his previous life, he was born in 1955, as Nwang Shedrup Sherpa. In those times Nwang had no opportunity for formal education in Tibet as a Rinpoche should have had, due to the Chinese Invasion of Tibet. Thame Rinpoche was a great friend to many groups of Berg Adventures trekkers prior to his death in 2009, however, and we all have fond memories of his smile and his kindness. With great resources being integrated into the Khumbu region and in Kathmandu there is hope for a bright future for the Thame Tulku in this life.

BAI trekkers with Lama Nawang Tsering Dodub

BAI trekkers with Lama Nawang Tsering Dodub

Young Thame Tulku already seems familiar with an iPad!

Young Thame Tulku already seems familiar with an iPad!

In February 2015, another Lama known well to many Berg Adventures trekkers, the Tengboche Rinpoche, who has been abbot of the Tangboche Monastery since his birth in 1933, performed the hair-cutting ceremony for the young Thame Tulku in the sacred Maratika Cave southwest of Kathmandu.

While much of the destruction that happened in the Khumbu during the earthquakes took place in Thame, the celebration of an important leader returning once again points towards a great new beginning for the valley. What a beautiful thing to take place for Sherpa people of the Khumbu!

The people of the Khumbu ready to welcome and celebrate the reappearance of the High Lama

The people of the Khumbu ready to welcome and celebrate the reappearance of the High Lama

More Photos on the Reconstruction of the Khunde Monastery

August 6th, 2015

We have been in constant contact with Ang Temba who has been sending us updates of the Khunde Chamkang Restoration Project.

The main Gompa stone wall is now complete. They are now working on the inside of the Gompa. They have started to work on rebuilding the monk’s house and the kitchen.

The village of Khunde is working extra hard in this monsoon season. Thanks for the continued support with this great project!

Refilling the holes

Refilling the holes

Working on the monks house

Working on the monks house

Rebuilding the kitchen

Rebuilding the kitchen

Rebuilding outside in monsoon season is not an easy task .

Rebuilding outside in monsoon season is not an easy task .

But the people of the Khunde are in good spirits and very determined.

But the people of the Khunde are in good spirits and very determined.

Thank you for your support!

Thank you for your support!

The Infamous IT Band – Training Tips from Terri Truman

July 15th, 2015

Do you know what your iliotibial (IT) band is and how it affects your body? Terri is here to explain what your IT band is, how IT band syndrome is caused, and how you can treat the pain in her most recent article: The Infamous IT Band.

“IT band friction syndrome is a common source of knee and hip pain in athletes and is most commonly felt along the outside (lateral) knee and the lower thigh. IT band syndrome may also result in a nagging or acute pain on the outside of the hip.”

Be good to your body! Learn about the different ways you can protect your muscles and joints so you can have a more enjoyable time doing the activities you love!

For more great information on training for travel visit our Expedition Prep page where you can find tips from Terri and more.

First Update from the Khunde Chamkang Restoration Project

June 23rd, 2015

We received our first update from Temba since the initial stages of the rebuilding to the Khunde Monastery has begun.

Since Friday June 19th they have had 6 carpenters in and more are coming as the days go on.

Here are some photos from the reconstruction:

Assessing the damage done to the monastery and stupas

Assessing the damage done to the monastery and stupas

The beginning stages of reconstruction

The beginning stages of reconstruction

A community comes together to rebuild their monastery

A community comes together to rebuild their monastery

Khunde Chamkang Restoration Project 2015 – For the physical, social and cultural restoration of Khunde

June 18th, 2015
Damage to prayer wheel

Damage to prayer wheel

The earthquakes and aftershocks that recently shook Nepal caused considerable damage to many parts of the Khumbu, home of the Sherpas. The village of Khunde is Ang Temba and Yangzing’s home village. The sister villages of Khunde and Khumjung are places remembered fondly by BAI trekkers and climbers. Khunde suffered terrible damage to its monastery and to the beautiful stupas that welcome us to the village. The BAI community has already responded generously to help some of our Sherpa friends rebuild their homes. Now it is time to remember the community as a whole.

Damage to monastery and stupa

Damage to monastery and stupa

Normally, the local people would maintain these cultural monuments themselves, but due to their own dire situation, they are not able to do so. These cultural monuments are the foundations upon which the Sherpa community is built. The Sherpa people draw their sense of cultural and spiritual identity from these religious and communal hubs. So any further support towards the repair and reconstruction of these structures would be very much appreciated.

Damage in the village of Khunde

Damage in the village of Khunde

A message from the people of Khunde

Khunde Chamkang Monastery is located in the beautiful landscape of Khunde. Gyen Lama known as Tenzing Tsrultim initially founded the hermitage when he migrated to Khumbu from Sakya Monastery in Tibet.

Monastery in Khunde

Monastery in Khunde

Khunde Chamkang was established in hopes of preserving and fostering the ancient religious and cultural heritage of this location. Gyen Lama passed away in September 1993 leaving behind the Chamkang in incomplete condition. Over its lifespan, the Chamkang was extended several times.

Restoration committee in Khunde

Restoration committee in Khunde

Thus far, the restoration committee, which was formed after the earthquakes, has been successful in raising funds from the Sherpa communities worldwide including some organizations like Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation (SEHF), Himalayan Trust Nepal and we were able to do well in-terms of restoration of the Chamkang. The funds have been invested primarily in the first phase, which is the physical construction of the Chamkang.

There is much work to be done to the monastery

There is much work to be done to the monastery

However, because of the high cost for the labor and the materials that need to be imported from Kathmandu, the committee is still seeking more support from national and international institutions in order to complete the proposed plan.

KKERG’s Future Plan

The beginning stages of the building has begun

The beginning stages of the building has begun

Khumjung & Khunde Earthquake Rebuild Group (KKERG) is now seeking further support for the community buildings in these two villages. So far we have not seen any interest or resources allocated in the repair and reconstruction of cultural sites such as monasteries, Chorten, Manilhang and Mani walls from the government or aid organizations.

Berg Adventures Support for KKERG Cultural Site Fund

The generous donations from several BAI clients went directly to helping Khunde rebuild the structures. It has been a good start to the restoration process. Though it will be a long process, the immediate support from our trekkers and climbers is important in helping the village rebuild.

After receiving news about the support that the Berg Adventures community was sending to the village of Khunde, the people of the village were overwhelmed and extremely grateful. They would like to say THUCHEYE, thank you very much!

The village of Khunde says thank you!

The village of Khunde says thank you!

By sending our support to the village of Khunde we are giving the Sherpas hope for the future of their village, their people and their cultural and religious identities.

For the next few weeks, as the rebuilding begins, we will be receiving updates from Ang Temba and the people of the Khunde so we can follow their progress.

Once again the village of Khunde thanks all of you for the amazing support and they hope to see you soon!

Ubisoft Far Cry Team Announce Generous Matching Funds Offer to Aid Nepal

April 29th, 2015

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

Great Memories

April 27th, 2015

From 2013, Todd Pendleton with Ang Tashi and Lakpa Dorjee. Ama Dablam View Lodge, Nepal. The spirit of love and optimism will endure in Nepal.

Please Remember Nepal

April 26th, 2015

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

The 26th Annual International White Nights Marathon in St. Petersburg, Russia

March 17th, 2015

It is time to lace up those running shoes and begin training for an epic experience; running through the historic streets of St. Petersburg for the 26th annual Ergo White Nights Marathon.

Past BAI Mount Elbrus climbers will tell you there is nothing like racing through the streets of St. Petersburg with runners from all over the world. Running either the 10 K or full marathon is also the perfect way to have one last work-out before attempting to reach 18,510ft/5,642m on Mount Elbrus.

Arriving a few days early in St. Petersburg will give you a chance to prepare for the race and fit in some extra sight-seeing. If you are wondering what you should do on your extra days read the article Things to Do in St. Petersburg, or sign up for the Elbrus expedition to experience Russia with Berg Adventures!

White Nights Marathon race map

White Nights Marathon race map

Starting in downtown St. Petersburg

Starting in downtown St. Petersburg

What a great way to experience St. Petersburg

What a great way to experience St. Petersburg

Success!

Success!

Join us in Russia this June!

Join us in Russia this June!

Tien-Shen Mountains and Lenin Peak Base Camp

February 19th, 2015
Camping on the banks of the majestic Lake Sary-Chelek

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

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

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

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.