Devon, UK: In May 2021, The Mountain Company paid out donations of £5,000 to our trek guides and cooks in Nepal. Throughout the year in 2020, we supported our trek crews in Nepal, Bhutan, and Pakistan by paying out more than £20,000 to 131 people. Due to the Covid pandemic, we have not had any groups trekking in the Himalayas and Karakorams since Autumn 2019. As a result, there has been no work for our guides, cooks, and porters since then.

We are committed to responsible and sustainable tourism. Over the years, we have developed strong personal relationships with our Himalayan trek crews. We feel that it is the right thing to do to help them out in the tough times after their hard work for us since we started back in 2004. We have raised funds from selling bespoke Buff scarves donated by The Mountain Company. Our Buffs have a prayer flag design and a Buddhist monk blessed them in a Puja ceremony in Kathmandu. We have also received significant donations from our previous travellers.

In Nepal, our core group of 22 guides and cooks received three cash payouts in 2020 and one payout so far in 2021. We have given two donations of rice and lentils to each of our 87 porters and kitchen helpers. They are based in the Solu Khumbu (Everest), Kanchenjunga and Rasuwa regions.

In Bhutan, our 11 guides and cooks received one cash payout. Since then they have received further support from the Government of Bhutan.

In Pakistan, our 11 guides and cooks received one cash payout.

The Mountain Company's Managing Director Roland Hunter commented;

 “I would like to thank our amazing travellers for purchasing our Buff scarves and for their generous donations. These proceeds have gone into our Covid hardship fund for our Himalayan trek crews. This is a wonderful example of responsible tourism in action. Our outdoor community has come together to support guides they befriended on their journeys with us. Given that our Autumn 2021 season might also be cancelled we are still accepting donations. We would be delighted to receive further support from anyone interested in helping out. Thank you!”

The Mountain Company and our clients have a tradition of supporting our destinations during crises. In April 2015, we made a corporate donation of £7,000 to support our trek crews in the aftermath of the Nepal earthquake. We raised a further £10,000 of donations to support earthquake emergency relief and reconstruction projects in Nepal. In October 2005, we supported Pakistan after the 8.5 Richter earthquake caused much damage to the Kashmir region.

At present, there is a Covid wave of infection impacting Nepal in a serious way. According to Worldometer, as of May 15th, 2021, the 7-day moving average of Covid 19 deaths in Nepal is 175 per day. The total number of deaths to date is 4,856. The Government of Nepal has announced restrictions to reduce the number of Covid infections. Kathmandu and other cities in Nepal have entered a lockdown. Non-essential businesses and shops are closed. There is a ban on travel around the country. Also, most international and domestic flights have been stopped until the end of May..

Fortunately, most of our trek crews and office staff in Kathmandu have already had a double dose of the AstraZeneca vaccination. They are doing fine under the circumstances. However, with the indefinite lockdown in Nepal, it is not possible for them to find other work. The trek crews are relying on our Covid hardship payments for daily subsistence to support their families.

There is still a chance our Autumn 2021 season in the Himalayas will run as planned. In practice, it is too early to predict what will happen later in the year with the Covid situation. We will only organise our trips if it is safe enough for our groups and trek crews. We will also carefully consider whether it is appropriate for our groups to travel to the Himalayas in 2021.

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Media: Roland Hunter | Managing Director| 01647 433880 | roland@themountaincompany.co.uk 

About The Mountain Company

The Mountain Company is an award-winning team of holiday experts to the Himalayas and Karakoram. We organise treks, expeditions, and tours in Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, and India (Ladakh and Sikkim). Our passion is for exploring very remote regions including sections of The Great Himalaya Trail.

Winners of AITO's Tour Operator of the Year in both 2018 (Gold) and 2015 (Bronze). We are members of AITO, ABTOT and hold an ATOL license.

We have offices both in the UK and in Nepal so during peak season we offer unique on the ground support from Kathmandu.

Founded in 2004 and still managed today by Roland Hunter FRGS. Roland has led groups on most of our trips throughout the Himalayas and the Karakoram. He has also summited Mount Everest (8,848m) and Mount Makalu (8,463m).

Our website is at https://www.themountaincompany.co.uk/

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