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Nepal Everest Base Camp Treks & Climbing Trips Cancelled — fundraiser set-up
After diligent and extensive research, discussions with physicians and public health experts, as well as a great deal of soul-searching, Mountain Madness has officially cancelled all Spring 2021 Nepal treks and climbs.
The ongoing and evolving COVID-19 pandemic coupled with the scarcity of testing, treatment, and vaccine distribution in Nepal, particularly in remote regions, all create a situation where visitors are potential threats to Nepali communities.
Instead of just standing by though, we are setting a target of raising $20,000 for local vaccination efforts, as well as Mountain Madness staff in the Mount Everest region.
At Mountain Madness, we take great care to ensure the health, well-being, and safety of our guests, but also of the people and places which we visit. Having worked in the Solukhumbu region of Nepal for decades, we have deep personal and trusted relationships with many people there — and highly regard them as an important part of the Mountain Madness family.
Photos by MM collection and Deana Zabaldo/Changing Lives Nepal
![Scott Fischer Memorial near Everest Base Camp with mountain madness](https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Scott-Fischer-Memorial-near-Everest-Base-Camp-with-mountain-madness-Scott-Memorial-2.f1612317382.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1833&q=80&w=2200&s=78e64ce70226a87ef2d44faf7d274cbe 2200w 1833h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Scott-Fischer-Memorial-near-Everest-Base-Camp-with-mountain-madness-Scott-Memorial-2.f1612317382.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1667&q=80&w=2000&s=1675143271295ec89075db7913388c90 2000w 1667h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Scott-Fischer-Memorial-near-Everest-Base-Camp-with-mountain-madness-Scott-Memorial-2.f1612317382.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1500&q=80&w=1800&s=015afcc5a0ee9822deaeac48088bd0e4 1800w 1500h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Scott-Fischer-Memorial-near-Everest-Base-Camp-with-mountain-madness-Scott-Memorial-2.f1612317382.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1333&q=80&w=1600&s=6196dc646663b277a29f9c99173abdd4 1600w 1333h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Scott-Fischer-Memorial-near-Everest-Base-Camp-with-mountain-madness-Scott-Memorial-2.f1612317382.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1167&q=80&w=1400&s=b9909606e9bc8e47886b49ead275ad29 1400w 1167h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Scott-Fischer-Memorial-near-Everest-Base-Camp-with-mountain-madness-Scott-Memorial-2.f1612317382.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1000&q=80&w=1200&s=ccc005372f06c70b6f446538dd99c7f9 1200w 1000h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Scott-Fischer-Memorial-near-Everest-Base-Camp-with-mountain-madness-Scott-Memorial-2.f1612317382.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=833&q=80&w=1000&s=8a0eb0c4f24c1900c17d9225ca3588ab 1000w 833h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Scott-Fischer-Memorial-near-Everest-Base-Camp-with-mountain-madness-Scott-Memorial-2.f1612317382.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=667&q=80&w=800&s=e03c644653492ab3500147c0196c6119 800w 667h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Scott-Fischer-Memorial-near-Everest-Base-Camp-with-mountain-madness-Scott-Memorial-2.f1612317382.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=500&q=80&w=600&s=88baa72725ec86110dc6b1d6ab6abc44 600w 500h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Scott-Fischer-Memorial-near-Everest-Base-Camp-with-mountain-madness-Scott-Memorial-2.f1612317382.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=333&q=80&w=400&s=e607ff8eec46030cbe33add97050374c 400w 333h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Scott-Fischer-Memorial-near-Everest-Base-Camp-with-mountain-madness-Scott-Memorial-2.f1612317382.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=167&q=80&w=200&s=71005751aa7a60164a1c46ed046df8b4 200w 167h)
THE SITUATION IN NEPAL
Trying to balance what is best for adventure travel and what is best for Nepal are not mutually exclusive. The immediate priorities are to both limit any additional possibilities of exposure to at-risk people of the Khumbu region and to provide support in the effort to test, vaccinate and treat COVID-19.
COVID-19 data from Nepal measuring the prevalence and impacts of disease are currently either incomplete or unavailable. Testing capability and treatment options in more remote regions are inadequate in the face of a highly contagious and dangerous virus.
However, testing alone is not the perfect solution, and the rush to give a boost to the economy of Nepal will likely cause regulations to be relaxed. Encouraging tourist visits seems a dangerous gamble, and not one that Mountain Madness will take.
A government-driven campaign of vaccination in Nepal started on January 20 with 1 million doses donated by India (photo shown here by NDTV). There are over 28 million residents of Nepal and availability of testing and vaccines in remote regions will likely take a very long time. Without a successful effort to combat this virus, the impact on the people of the Khumbu will be devastating.
![Rpjf89o4 nepal covid vaccination 625x300 27 January 21](https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/rpjf89o4_nepal-covid-vaccination_625x300_27_January_21.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1833&q=80&w=2200&s=bbb14264452c446153ce94728dfc005a 2200w 1833h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/rpjf89o4_nepal-covid-vaccination_625x300_27_January_21.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1667&q=80&w=2000&s=60f2548fb3b1b324bf543907f42221bc 2000w 1667h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/rpjf89o4_nepal-covid-vaccination_625x300_27_January_21.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1500&q=80&w=1800&s=c14fcded427186ad5060202e611ddba4 1800w 1500h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/rpjf89o4_nepal-covid-vaccination_625x300_27_January_21.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1333&q=80&w=1600&s=61364fa81b800867296619776e746017 1600w 1333h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/rpjf89o4_nepal-covid-vaccination_625x300_27_January_21.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1167&q=80&w=1400&s=eddc162dfabf02f8610818ce62afd1a8 1400w 1167h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/rpjf89o4_nepal-covid-vaccination_625x300_27_January_21.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1000&q=80&w=1200&s=39392f5f2cc68435204ca857e854f29e 1200w 1000h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/rpjf89o4_nepal-covid-vaccination_625x300_27_January_21.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=833&q=80&w=1000&s=4c00c4c821af44b2d9eb926ec9e4bdd7 1000w 833h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/rpjf89o4_nepal-covid-vaccination_625x300_27_January_21.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=667&q=80&w=800&s=c5313c7041232c7702b9e274aad44fe7 800w 667h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/rpjf89o4_nepal-covid-vaccination_625x300_27_January_21.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=500&q=80&w=600&s=94d033da637690d85d6ac0cd22157ec7 600w 500h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/rpjf89o4_nepal-covid-vaccination_625x300_27_January_21.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=333&q=80&w=400&s=f75101b1cf57466b65e2814389959f07 400w 333h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/rpjf89o4_nepal-covid-vaccination_625x300_27_January_21.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=167&q=80&w=200&s=07341e00673c2111413a461c78d3c350 200w 167h)
CONTRIBUTIONS TO VACCINATION EFFORT
To help in vaccinations, Mountain Madness is fundraising to provide direct financial support for the following: social mobilization, community outreach, vaccination supplies and equipment, cold chain capabilities, vaccination program staff and training, and other mass vaccination program needs.
Throughout our decades of work in the Khumbu, we have established relationships with efficient and highly competent local networks. And, we understand and appreciate the highly-skilled logistics and supply chain suited for this particular environment that will see vaccination through to the finish line. We can think of no better or more highly skilled logistics and supply experts than the Sherpa of the Khumbu.
While we recognize that a few thousand dollars is but a drop in the bucket of overall need, it is a place to start and a seed planted for growth. We encourage individuals and other guide services to donate or create their own relief effort and in solidarity we can all improve the situation for the people of Nepal. Collectively focused efforts can and do make a difference.
HELPING OUT STAFF
In addition to assisting the vaccination effort, Mountain Madness is donating $100 for each of our Nepal Khumbu trip registrants who are postponing their Everest Base Camp Trek, Ama Dablam, and Island Peak trips with us this spring. This money will be distributed to our Nepal staff to help offset the work the spring season provided would have otherwise provided. As there are no charges for postponing and all trip money is moved forward, we will also be contacting all our customers to invite them to contribute to our larger efforts, as they have so generously done following the earthquakes in 2015 and Spring 2020 when the pandemic first arrived.
![Perhaps our best jumping photo](https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Perhaps-our-best-jumping-photo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1833&q=80&w=2200&s=48fc2a9c1a44d8d728408a2ae02bfbdc 2200w 1833h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Perhaps-our-best-jumping-photo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1667&q=80&w=2000&s=fc370ad11e8cabf902f09e5f78b4032a 2000w 1667h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Perhaps-our-best-jumping-photo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1500&q=80&w=1800&s=23c4a26b70a8f84e87bda2cf5131ea8d 1800w 1500h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Perhaps-our-best-jumping-photo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1333&q=80&w=1600&s=9999d30cfbab5fb248788652331a2e77 1600w 1333h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Perhaps-our-best-jumping-photo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1167&q=80&w=1400&s=87e446150b290a7b45a4962e4f515777 1400w 1167h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Perhaps-our-best-jumping-photo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1000&q=80&w=1200&s=5a902cab416c27e6e07617412e3aefc0 1200w 1000h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Perhaps-our-best-jumping-photo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=833&q=80&w=1000&s=423481f8b93f57e0bb7374c4b3978a14 1000w 833h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Perhaps-our-best-jumping-photo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=667&q=80&w=800&s=fb7a958eb6e25655e340c039ff574fa6 800w 667h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Perhaps-our-best-jumping-photo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=500&q=80&w=600&s=92cd79bed16eaf9d87d7fe55b9b1e48d 600w 500h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Perhaps-our-best-jumping-photo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=333&q=80&w=400&s=83b4c82ecda68e202082ba1276245b14 400w 333h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Perhaps-our-best-jumping-photo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=167&q=80&w=200&s=9f18a923a79034734bd4acb1b85da1cd 200w 167h)
THE GOAL
Help reach our target of $20,000 toward vaccination efforts in Nepal and supporting Mountain Madness Nepal staff. Final amounts allocated to each of these two needs will be determined upon conclusion of the fundraising effort.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office. Call our office at 800−328−5925 or email company owner Mark Gunlogson at markg@mountainmadness.com