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Sharing The Load: Porter Safety in the Mountains
Imagine.Carrying 30 to 60 kilos over the mountains of Nepal, all day long, day after day in all sorts of weather, sometimes only equipped with flip-flops for footwear and a plastic bag as protection from the snow.
Trekking porters are often from the lower valleys. They frequently have to carry heavy loads in remote areas, sometimes higher than many base camps (well over 5000 meters) and with the potential for severe weather.
Do you know that Nepali porters suffer from four times as many accidents and illness as a Western trekker?
Every year, trekking porters die unnecessarily in the mountains. Or they are affected by frostbite, accidents or injuries that may render them unable to work.
Can you imagine the difficulties faced by dependents if a porter dies or can no longer work? There is no social support in Nepal other than family or, if you have no family, begging.
Celebrate Your Porter!
If porting were an Olympic endurance weight lifting event, the Nepali porter would win all the medals!!!
Celebrate and admire these incredible athletes of the mountains. Watch them in action, appreciate the balance, strength and of coarse, their good nature!
Try picking up a load yourself!
Portering is an important part of the Nepali economy. Employ porters, support the traditions and take good care of them!!
Yes! I would like to support IPPG! Find enclosed a donation of _________
I would like to give________for this specific project (tick): Porter Clothing Bank, Porter Shelter, and Porter Documentary.
I would like to sponsor an injured porter and/or their dependents by committing to giving_______per year to the Porter Relief Fund.
I would consider becoming a representative in my country (pleases send a CV and references to the International Coordinator).
I am unable to do anything at the moment but would like to receive the IPPG newsletter.
Name: _______________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________ Postal Code: __________ Town/City: _____________________________________ Country: ___________________________ Phone: _______________________ Fax: _______________ Email: _________________________________ Please return this form to your county representative or to the International Coordinator
What is IPPG? IPPG is a grassroots organization whose aim is to help the trekking porter by raising awareness of their vulnerability especially in bad weather, at high altitudes and in remote areas. Started in 1997, IPPG focuses on provision of protective clothing; shelter and medical care appropriate to the season and weather, the area and the altitude where the trekking porter is working.
The previous information on Mountain Porter rights was reproduced from IPPG pamphlets and retyped for this presentation in order to be easier read and accessible. The following links may be out of date:
Scandinavia Lena Fauske Tuvsbakken, N-3560 Hemsedal, NorwayPh: (47) 32060019, lenafau@online.no
Switzerland Dr. Urs Hefti Limmattalstrasse 161, 8049 Zurich Ph./Fax 0041(0) 1-342 4559
UK Ed Cartwright 151 Wakehurst Road, London SW11 6 BW Ph./Fax (0171) 223 5180
USA Dr. Jim Litch (Presently working in Kathmandu, Nepal) jlitch@yahoo.com Dr. Torrey Goodman 1213 Aalapapa Dr. Kailua, Hawaii, 96734 Ph: (808) 263-3700, tgood808@lava.net
Ben AyersPO Box 7104, Gilford, NH 03247-7104 benayers@netscape.net
Martin Weir World Expeditions 580 Market St. 6 th Floor San Francisco CA 94104 martin@weadventures.com
Scott Dimetrosky PO Box 3665, Boulder, CO 80307 Ph: (303) 998-0101, Fax: (303) 998-1007 |
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