Postcard from the Field #2
This is the second installment in a series from Tom Hayes, the cowriter of Richard Blum's memoir which focused on Nepal and AHF. Tom takes us on a journey up the sacred Swayambhu steps in Kathmandu, a tradition for the first day of all AHF field visits to Nepal.
Postcard from the Field #1
Nine years ago, Richard and Tom Hayes collaborated on Richard's memoir which focused on AHF and Nepal. This spring, Tom had the opportunity to travel to Nepal for the first time and witness first-hand what Richard had described all those years ago. This is the first in a series of dispatches from his trip.
Happy Losar – Year of the Water Rabbit!
Losar Tashi Delek to you and your loved ones! This Year of the Water Rabbit 2023 (2150 in the Tibetan calendar) is considered a year of hope. Rabbit is the symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity, and people born in the Year of the Rabbit are quick-minded and ingenious.
The True Spirit of Adventure
This weekend May 29th marks the 69th anniversary of my father Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic ascent of Chomolungma (Everest) in 1953. At that time, it was the closest that man had been to the moon. The lure of Chomolungma today remains insatiable. More than 325 permits were issued this spring to climb the mother Goddess, with a handsome yield of $3.3m for the Government of Nepal in licensing fees.
Heroic Heera
Heera, whose name means “diamond” in Nepali, was born with Spina Bifida, a serious neurological disorder. Her parents were desperate to help their young daughter, and went into debt in search of treatment for her — they even sold their land — but nothing worked.
Maghe Sankranti
Maghe is the tenth month of the Nepalese calendar, and Sankranti is the first day of Makarai (Capricorn). It is one of the most auspicious days and is much cause for celebration. However, until only nine years ago, it also marked the first day of servitude for many girls from the far west...
Sour, Spicy, & Sweet
It was 11am, and the monsoon deluge was finally abating as Charu and I cautiously made our way along the slippery mud track towards Sari and Devaki’s house. They are sisters. A few years ago, their father left them to work in the Middle East. His departure triggered something in their mother…
Alive and Kicking: Himani's Story
Himani is a high spirited, high-kicking STOP Girl Trafficking (and Taekwondo) student. Eight years ago, a cinderblock fell on her foot and badly damaged it, and her struggling mother couldn’t afford treatment. I met her this year and introduced her to…
The view from the Top!
On May 29th, 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and my father Tenzing Norgay made their historic ascent of Chomolungma (Mount Everest). 67 years later, in 2020, the Covid pandemic completely shut down the mountaineering season in Nepal.
Namdu: a loving tribute
Namdu Sherpani, one of the original guiding spirits of the AHF, passed away last week in Kathmandu, surrounded by family.