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Rebuilding Suri Primary School after Nepal's 2015 Earthquake
Binod Shakya shares his experience in working on reconstruction of Suri Primary School. Binod is a freelance tour guide who became a translator and volunteer in different parts of rural Nepal after the devastating earthquake hit the country in the spring of 2015.
Gosaikunda Lake Trek: A Short and Sweet Getaway
One of our hopes at Musa Masala is to help introduce people to the fun of trekking in Nepal. not only is this a beautiful country with many different environments to travel through, but culturally, Nepal is a wonder for exposing trekkers to the many different religions, tribes and cultural groups throughout the country. Lakpa Sherpa, along with Musa writer Ang Diku Sherpa and our friends Nwang Phuri Sherpa and Binu Rumdali Rai, took a quick break from their busy lives in Kathmandu to enjoy the trek around Gosaikunda Lake in Langtang National Park. Here is Lakpa's post on their short and sweet trek.
The Nepal Relief Fund: Part I
One of our hopes at Musa Masala is to help introduce people to the fun of trekking in Nepal. not only is this a beautiful country with many different environments to travel through, but culturally, Nepal is a wonder for exposing trekkers to the many different religions, tribes and cultural groups throughout the country. Lakpa Sherpa, along with Musa writer Ang Diku Sherpa and our friends Nwang Phuri Sherpa and Binu Rumdali Rai, took a quick break from their busy lives in Kathmandu to enjoy the trek around Gosaikunda Lake in Langtang National Park. Here is Lakpa's post on their short and sweet trek.
The Musa Masala Store is Now Open!
We are super excited about our store opening. We hope you find some things you like and will help support our fundraising for the hospital and our continuing efforts for equality and education in Nepal. If you purchase a shirt, post a photo of you sporting it on Facebook, Instagram and/or Twitter and tag Musa Masala so we can like and share it. Jam Jam!
Top Reasons to Consider the Pikey Peak Trek
Ang Dawa Sherpa returns with another great post, this time on the lesser traveled Pikey Peak Trek. For those looking for a different view of Nepal, We highly recommend this outstanding visit to the Solukhumbu. Thanks, Ang Dawa, for guiding us to an another amazing part of Nepal. Dhanyabad.
Tourism in Nepal is famous for climbing, but trekking especially draws large crowds every year. The Everest, Annapurna and Langtang regions are the most popular, but there are many other treks that are opening up that are less crowded and just as spectacular.
The Help Nepal Appeal: An Interview with Jody Dontje
On April 25th 2015 Nepal was hit by a catastrophic earthquake from which it is still recovering. We at Musa Masala want to take a moment to think of everyone effected by the earthquake and its aftermath. The work continues and we send our admiration to the strong and beautiful people of Nepal. Your courage is an inspiration to all of us.Speaking of inspiration, The Help Nepal Appeal creator, Jody Dontje, is a true inspiration and a role model for people young and old. She started her project after the quake and has been a energy source, lighting others up everywhere she goes since. She stepped up when she saw a need that she could fulfill.
Myths About Altitude Illness Debunked
Welcome to part two of our altitude tips post for our Good Trekker series! This time Dr. Yak tramples over some of the most common myths of traveling to high altitude.
If you are trekking in Nepal this spring, make sure to stop by for the daily altitude lecture given at the HRA clinics in Manang and Pheriche. Cards are also available at Everest ER at base camp. You may not only learn something, but you may be able to help others from getting sick.
Introducing the 2017 Nepalese Women's Kanchenjunga Expedition
Mountaineering is an adventurous game. Three Nepali women have already carved their names into its history. They have created names for themselves separately, and now once again they will join together to climb the world's third highest mountain, Kanchenjunga (8569m). They are calling their climb, "Three Women, Three on Top." With their climb they will promote women's climbing in Nepal and spread the message of climate change in the Himalayas.
Altitude Illness: Tips to Stay Healthy
Welcome back to the Good Trekker Series. We're pleased to introduce our newest expert, Dr Yak! No one knows about living at high altitude like a yak and this yak has all the answers. We are also introducing our new Altitude Tip cards. A version of the card will be distributed to all three clinics this spring run by the Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) in the villages of Manang in the Annapurna region and Pheriche on the Everest trek. They will also be available at Everest ER at Mt Everest base camp. Make sure you visit these hard working doctors at the clinics and ask for your Musa Masala Attitude Tips card!
Nepal's 2015 Earthquake and Goli Village
An earthquake seemed overdue in the Kathmandu region. That’s what my friend and colleague Dawa Chhiri Sherpa and I were discussing the morning of April 25th, 2015. We were planning out our week in Kathmandu before we were due to fly back to Lukla for the Everest base camp trek. I had just returned from Island Peak at 20,305ft and felt ready for a break before heading back into the mountains.
The Wongchu Sherpa Trust Girls Hostel Project #BOAW2017
In Nepal, girls are in the back of the line when it comes to education. Often because girls are sent off in arranged marriages at a young age parents do not consider it financially sensible to send their daughters to school when they will leave the home during their teenage years. So they work at home until marriage. This creates a society of women who are unable to move forward and who do not see the opportunities education can give them.
The 1-Year Anniversary of Wongchu Sherpa's Passing
In Sherpa culture one year after the passing of a loved one a Gongjo puja is organized. In memory of my late father Wongchu Sherpa we will have a ceremony every December 30th for the next three years. We have started a national level volleyball competition to be held at this time as well. For the first year we organized a local tournament. Next year we will expand to a district level and in three years to a national level competition.
Second Chances for Nepali Street Dogs: Sneha's Care Foundation
No one wants to spend their whole life on the streets without love, care, food or clothing. Not only do all people deserve a better life than this, but animals do, too. The stray dogs of Katmandu cannot help themselves, so we must give them love, care and affection.
Brigitte Muir: From Summiting Everest to Empowering Women in Nepal
Nepal is among the least developed countries in the world, with nearly 40 percent of the total population living beneath the poverty line. This situation is made more complex by significant gender, caste, ethnic and geographic disparities. However, by improving literacy, we can help families develop a better life.
In a world dwarfed by Chomolungma, Goddess Mother of the Snows, it is the warmth of good people that lights up hearts.x
Chyangba Village Trek: WMS Goes to the Hospital
This past November, members of the Wilderness Medical Society, led by Dr. Eric Johnson and Dr. Luanne Freer, trekked to the site of the Wongchu Sherpa Memorial Hospital, which will be built in Khamding, Solu Khumbu, Nepal.
Ten Considerate and Thoughtful Tips For Trekking In Nepal
Welcome to the second post in the Good Trekker series! We are using the words considerate and thoughtful because we believe these are key approaches to make your trek more, fun, safe and memorable. Thinking about and being considerate of your surroundings and the people you interact with is essential for a successful experience.
Trail Racing through the Himalayas
In Sanskrit, Manaslu means, mountain of the spirit. In this place, where heaven and skies meet, The Manaslu Mountain Trail Race, a seven day race covering 212 km around the 8,160 m mountain, it might not have felt like heaven for all the participants. But what a feeling, to take part in such an event in the lap of the Himalayas.
The Good Trekker: An Introduction
So there you are, covered in sweat, legs aching, gasping for breath and wondering to yourself: If this is just the beginning of this trek, how much longer do I have to live? And what does "breathable Gore Tex" mean? Feeling like you are wrapped in a plastic bag as you drip into your boots, you don't think you or your jacket is truly breathing anymore.
Remembering Wongchu Sherpa: My Father's Dream
Every father has their own dream for their children, but my father’s dreams were especially unique. My father, the late Mr. Wongchhu Sherpa, was born in a remote area of the Everest region, Tapting-1, Chyangba Village. He breathed his last breath at age 48 in December, 2015.
He was not only my father, but with the way he helped others, many saw him as their own godfather. Because his ideas were dynamic and progressive, he became iconic.