Downhill struggle: Alpinists have pledged to ski up to 88,000km each to raise $50k for the Himalayan Trust. Photo / Cardrona
Downhill struggle: Alpinists have pledged to ski up to 88,000km each to raise $50k for the Himalayan Trust. Photo / Cardrona
Mountaineers and alpinists are known for their uphill struggles, but that is only half the battle.
The Himalayan Trust is asking Kiwis to head downhill to help their missions in Nepal which is in the grip of a pandemic downturn.
Throughout August New Zealanders are invited to cover between 3724 and 40660 meters- the equivalent of the Seven Summit Challenge - all down hill.
The Descent Challenge is raising funds for education projects and school resources in the mountains of Nepal.
Challenging participants to descend at least the height of Aoraki / Mount Cook, this can be done by bike, ski or foot. However you will have only 31 days to do so and gain pledges.
The Hillary family skiing in New Zealand. Photo / Auckland Musuem, Unesco
Started by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1960, the charity has since built over 150 earthquake-strengthened classrooms and bought school equipment for pupils across Solukhumbu .
Since the 1953 Everest summit by Tenzing Norgay and Hillary the region of Nepal has a long-standing connection to Kiwi mountaineers - few of whom have been able to return since the Covid 19 Pandemic.
Everest guides and Himalayan Trust ambassadors Guy Cotter and Suze Kelley told the Herald last May that they felt it would be "irresponsible" to return at the moment.
While they were forced to hibernate their expedition company, Cotter said they would continue to work with the Sherpa Future Fund and Himalaya Trust as Nepal struggles with the downturn of tourism.
Earthquake-strengthened classrooms at the Thame school in Nepal. Photo / Himalayan Trust, Supplied
Having knocked off just 7,200 from his 88,480m goal (or 10 times the height of Everest) this weekend, Cotter says his downhill goal is not so important.
"Its it is however, certainly about helping support the good work that the Himalayan Trust is doing to help the people in the Solukhumbu regions of Nepal."
Directing people to the fundraising page - he says the project will help provide medical facilities, schools and clean drinking water to the region.
"Please consider donating to my page so we can support the Sherpas through these difficult times," he wrote.
In May the Himalayan Trust helped raise over $50,000 in 10,000 donations for their Fiver for Ed campaign in addition to the Covid-19 emergency response.
"It was incredibly moving to see," said campaign manager Alex Hillary, grandson of the mountaineer.
May 29 is the anniversary of the first ascent of Everest by Ed Hilary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953. You can make a difference by giving a #fiverfored to the @Himalayan_Trust for vital funds for the people of the Everest region Ed so loved and championed. #everestdaypic.twitter.com/g3G2nn1RzW
Kiwis from all walks of life were able to get behind the campaign to raise money for immediate Covid relief in the Everest region.
"A lot of kids have stopped going to school in the Solukhumbu District," in the tourism-reliant Everest region. "This is directly linked to the downturn in the wake of Covid 19," he said.
The new campaigns were about finding ways to support the team Nepal and "not feel like your hands are tied being so far away," he said.
Descent Challenge: By ski, bike or foot, it's downhill that counts. Photo / Jay French
Two Wanaka-based ski fields have also partnered with the challenge to help count downhill totals. They are giving away downhill passes every week for sponsored skiers working on their downhill totals.
"Cardrona and Treble Cone are excited to be involved with such a great initiative in the Descent Challenge," said a spokesperson.
"We're encouraging skiers and snowboarders to get involved in the descent challenge to help raise funds and awareness for the amazing work the Himalayan Trust do. Get out there and get skiing and snowboarding!"
