ABC of Mountaineering News Feed

Climbers to Summit Highest Peaks in 50 States

From Alaska's majestic Denali, commanding the landscape at 20,030 feet, to Florida's 335-foot Britton Hill, climbers, hikers, and walkers will set out to conquer the 50 highest peaks in the United States en masse this summer to raise awareness and funds for pediatric AIDS in this year's Summer Summit Challenge.

Hosted by the American Foundation for Children with AIDS (AFCA) as part of its Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up program, the Summer Summit Challenge will kick off this year's fundraiser and will be held from June 27 to July 6, 2008. Proceeds will be used to purchase medicine and supplies for children living with AIDS in Africa.

"This event allows people to take action no matter where they live, and turn their passion for the outdoors into tangible help for kids that need hope, help, and attention,� says Tanya Weaver, executive director of AFCA. "Hikers, climbers, and the outdoor industry have seen the positive impact they can make in the lives of children living with AIDS by getting out and taking on this great challenge.�

In 2007, a Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up global event saw hikers, climbers, bikers, and staircase-climbers reach the tops of peaks of their own choosing and raise over $15,500 for AFCA and its work with children with HIV/AIDS in Africa.

To participate in the fundraiser, individuals raise a minimum of $115 and teams raise $5,000; AFCA provides many tips and pointers on fundraising for the Challenge. Individuals and teams raising the most money will win prizes and gifts from the outdoor industry with all proceeds benefiting AFCA.

To register, interested individuals should visit www.ClimbUpSoKidsCanGrowUp.com.

About the American Foundation for Children with AIDS
American Foundation for Children with AIDS is an independent international humanitarian aid organization established in 2004. AFCA is recognized as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization incorporated in the state of Florida, USA. The mission of AFCA is to improve the lives of children and youth struggling with the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. We provide cost-effective relief, services, medical and social support, education, and advocacy to help these individuals achieve their full life potential. For more information, visit www.helpchildrenwithaids.org.

About Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up
Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up is a growing partnership between outdoor recreation enthusiasts and American Foundation for Children with AIDS. Together with our sponsors, we invite "climbers� everywhere to bring awareness to the pediatric AIDS pandemic and to raise funds so AFCA can continue to send life-saving anti-retroviral (ARV) medication to children affected by HIV/AIDS. For more information, visit www.climbupsokidscangrowup.com.

Chinese Summit Puts Irish Team Back On Track

Climbers Graham Kinch (29) and Ian Taylor (29), the youngest Irish men to attempt Mt Everest and also the first Dubliner and Kildareman respectively, were woken on day 48 (May 8) of their Everest expedition to the sound of an aeroplane flying over the summit. "We all knew what it meant," said Taylor, "and the good news that the Chinese had summited at 5:20am Nepalese time (12:35am Irish time) followed with resounding cheers throughout base camp." The Chinese who are hosting the Olympics in June had imposed restrictions on the Nepalese side of the mountain until after they had summited with the Olympic torch. The 285 climbers at base camp, including the two Irishmen have spent over a week waiting for the Chinese to summit so that they can continue with their summit attempts.

The two Irishmen have only one more acclimatization trip up the mountain before their ascent proper. They will leave at 2am on Friday morning, going straight to Camp 2 at 22,000ft. for two nights before pushing on up to Camp 3 at 24,000ft. on the 11th. "Although we have effectively been idle at base camp for the last eight days," said Kinch, "donations for the Kitandwe School Project in Uganda have continued to flow in via our website www.everest2008.ie, for which we are very appreciative."

The two Irish climbers are in the final weeks of a yearlong journey that will see them climb four mountains on four continents in order to raise �85,000 for a school in the Ugandan village of Kitandwe in partnership with the Irish charity Fields of Life. If all goes according to plan, they will complete their journey by summiting Mt. Everest on the 23rd of May. (Team Geared Up)

Source:
blog.teamgearedup.com

SummitClimb Offers Guided Climbs in Nepal

SummitClimb offers fun, interesting, and challenging trips, starting with the Mustagata climb on July 1 - 24. Just a few places are left in this introductory climb of a very high mountain which is commonly a place for skiing, snowshoeing, and snowboarding.

You are invited to join their fun group of men and women from around the world for affordable, well-organized adventures. Most members participate as individuals and enjoy becoming part of the team. SummitClimb also encourages groups of friends, family, and colleagues (discounts for groups of two or more).

All prices below are for 'full-service'. 'Basic' pricing for the budget-minded is also offered.

Mustagata: July 1-24 - Introductory high-altitude snow climb on the world's easiest 7500m/24,000ft peak; Ski, snowboard, racquette, and snowshoe to/from the summit. Ideal high-altitude introduction, just 24 days. Climbing Mustagata qualifies you for Cho Oyu, Everest, and Lhotse. Leader: Jon Otto, fluent in Chinese and English, eight ascents prior to this climb. Full-Service: �2650, �2150, $4250.

Cho Oyu: September 2 - October 9 - Intermediate high-altitude snow climb of world's sixth highest and most accessible of the 8000m/26,000ft peaks. This is considered as the easiest '8000er'. Leader: Dan Mazur, previous Cho-Oyu mountaineer. Our 9th expedition. Climbing Cho qualifies you for Everest and Lhotse. Special: optional ski-snowboard descent. Full-Service: �5650, �4550, $8950.

Shishapangma: September 18 - October 24 - Intermediate high-altitude snow climb of one of the world's easiest 8000m/26,000ft peaks. The lowest of the world's fourteen '8000ers'. Combine with Cho Oyu and earn a 20% discount. Leader: Dan Mazur, previous Shisha mountaineer. Fourth expedition. Climbing Shisha qualifies you for Everest and Lhotse. Full-Service: �5650, �4550, $8950.

Ama Dablam: October 1 - November 1 - Intermediate, medium-altitude rock, ice, and snow. Technical - climbable. Asia's most famous, excellent granite, fixed ropes to summit. Leader: Arnold Coster, technical expert and senior leader. SummitClimb's 11th expedition. Climbing Ama Dablam could qualify you for Cho Oyu, Everest, and Lhotse. 6,812m/22,349ft. Full-Service: �3150, �2550, $4950.

Everest Basecamp Nepal: October 1-17 - Easy, beautiful walk in footsteps of Hillary and Tenzing. Hike wide trails through green valleys. Explore basecamp and easy Kala-Pattar (5545m/18,150ft), fabulous views of Everest. Full-Service: �1050, �850, $1650.

Island Peak: October 12-16 - Easy 'light climbing'. Five-day climb of the most famous 'trekking-peak' in all of the Himalaya. Massif views. Combine with our Everest base camp trek for perfect acclimatization. 6189m/20,300ft. Full-Service: �450, �350, $790.

Everest-View Glacier-School: October 1-22 - Introductory medium-altitude snow climb. Learn essential skills, ropes, ice climbing, anchor placement, glacier travel, climb a high peak, explore beautiful valleys on good trails. Leader: Raj Thapa; qualified NMA/British mountain leader, and skills trainer with 15 years of experience. 6119m/20,070ft. Full-Service: �1550, �1250, $2450.

For more information, send an email at info@SummitClimb.com or info@SummitTrek.com. Phone: ++44 (0) 7810 375 400.

Pro-Tibet US Mountaineer Deported

Nepal government has deported a foreign mountaineer as a part of quelling any anti-China movement in Nepal.

American citizen William Brant Holland, 28, was returned by the security force last week, after he was discovered carrying 'Free Tibet' banner along with his mountaineering accessories. Holland was punished after he failed to abide by the terms and conditions that he had agreed while receiving climbing permit, ministry sources said.

The decision to deport the mountaineer was taken at the secretary level as per the mountaineering regulation. The mountaineer has also been barred from taking part in any mountaineering activities in Nepal for the next two years. Likewise, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) has also sought clarifications from the agency that was handling Holland's expedition. Right after the decision, Holland left for Bangkok on Monday.

China plans to take the Olympic torch relay to the summit of Mt. Everest next month. Suspecting disturbances in the torch relay, China didn't issue any permits to climb Mt. Everest from Tibetan side this year and also asked Nepal not to issue any permits. However, Nepal issued climbing permits with precondition that no climbing parties go beyond the Camp II before May 10. The Nepal government has also deployed security forces at Camp II to ensure that no one goes beyond Camp II before May 10.

UIAA Seminar on Training Standards this May

The International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA) will hold a two-day seminar on training standards this coming May 6 and 7. Organized by the Mountain Training and the National Mountain Centre, this will be held at Plas y Brenin National Mountain Centre, North Wales, United Kingdom.

The seminar will discuss how UIAA standardizes the training and assessment of leaders, trainers, and assessors at national and international levels. Representatives will talk about record-keeping strategies for the UIAA's Model Standard for Voluntary Leaders. This aims to produce a standardized format for moderation visits.

The training is in accordance with the goal of UIAA to encourage good practice in the training of voluntary mountaineering leaders and instructors. They have developed training standards for their member association and with the help of this standards, the associations can prove that their training and assessment schemes have been independently examined by a UIAA expert.

For more details on this news, please visit www.theuiaa.org.