#228 {D5}

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Conrad

climber

Topic Author's Original Post - Apr 19, 2013 - 12:28am PT

Part of the open source hammer project allocated funds toward the Alex Lowe Charitable Foundation. The idea was brought forward by Joe Healy and implemented by Theron. As being responsible for the monies donated I am very grateful for the collective contribution.

While not every one climbs in Nepal or has connections to Nepali people, in particular Sherpa, the funds have been put to what we feel is good use. The main program of the ALCF is the Khumbu Climbing Center, basically vo tec for high altitude workers from Nepal. We finshed our tenth year and have had over 700 graduates. The courses are taught by Nepali (Sherpa) and are approved by the Nepal Mountaineering Association.

Training takes place on the frozen waterfalls in the Khumbu. This is a great medium to practice skills and have a bit of fun. This excellent photo by Lincoln Else highlights the rescue training that is part of the curriculum.

To provide the program with a physical presence a building has been designed by the Montana State school of architecture and is being built month by month. The design is earthquake resistant, passive solar and has climbing features built into it.

Work on this is a bit of a challenge. We are trying to build with up to date technologies and materials and are constantly struggling with inflation and variable transportation costs. It will finish up, one of these days, thanks to the many people that donate time, service and money.

One of these fellows is Tim Harrington of Boulder, a gifted builder. He went over with a crew this pat fall and was able to get a bunch more done on the project.

Which brings around to the hammer #228 and a fundraiser this coming saturday the 20th of April 2013 at Movement Gym in Boulder. The owners of the gym are opening the facility to help us raise the money needed to finish the project. $10 gets you in and a chance to see a slide show, eat pizza, drink beer and, should you be so inclined, bid on a few items. One of them is this hammer.

Mungeclimber

Trad climber

the crowd MUST BE MOCKED...Mocked I tell you.

Apr 19, 2013 - 12:51am PT

*like*

JMC

climber

the land of milk and honey

Apr 19, 2013 - 01:44am PT

Conrad,
Looks like a good purpose for rattling the can. I'm a long ways from Boulder and don't need the hammer, but made a donation through the Alex Lowe Charitable Foundation website. Earlier on, there had been some innuendos in posts about accounting issues with the hammers ( http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=1709331&msg=1709939#msg1709939 ), so it would seem that is in the past?

ElCapPirate

Big Wall climber

Reno, Nevada

Apr 19, 2013 - 03:47am PT

AWESOME!!!

Jaybro

Social climber

Wolf City, Wyoming

Apr 19, 2013 - 07:43am PT

Very cool Conrad!!

nopantsben

climber

Apr 19, 2013 - 07:50am PT

What Ammon said!

GhoulweJ

Trad climber

El Dorado Hills, CA

Apr 19, 2013 - 09:17am PT

super cool

Conrad

climber

Topic Author's Reply - Apr 19, 2013 - 09:23am PT

Yes... things are going well with the open source project. Open source means transparency.

This year we have two Nepali KCC graduates participating on NOLS scholarships and Panuru Sherpa working on Denali for his second season. The goal is to build understanding between the two national parks (Sagarmartha and Denali) and share best practices.

Nepali climbers have made great strides in the past decade. There are several gyms in Kathmandu and the Nepali climbers always place in the SE Asia sport climbing comps. The best part is meeting Nepali of all ethnicity stoked to climb.

This past year we had two students on exchange from Pakistan and have support from the US Embassy as a way of helping promote safe mountain tourism.

Cragging near Monjo.

Passang Chuttin and her brother.

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Apr 19, 2013 - 09:37am PT

Alex has a smile.
Great work Conrad!

Cheers

Plaidman

Trad climber

South Slope of Mt. Tabor, Portland, Oregon, USA

Apr 19, 2013 - 10:53am PT

Flipp'in AWESOME! Nice work. Thanks for getting out there a representin' the community and doing work that counts. Giving back is my favorites and when I saw this today, made me proud of the community. It's just another example of why I think you are one of the best.

All the best to ya Conrad! And thanks to all those that contributed!

Plaid