ExWeb reported today that a Russian expedition is stuck at the Kangchenjunga base camp, because their gear has gone missing. The team of nine climbers have been stuck at base camp with only the gear that the brought themselves. The porters were not only carrying climbing gear, but also tents and warm sleeping bags, among other items. According to Lena Laletina from Russian Climb, because food is running out and the team needs warmer clothing, the situation is becoming critical.

The disappearance of the equipment is more than mildly suspicious. The situation is not clear, but, the Adventure Blog reported, “the porters they hired misplaced the gear while en route, and turned back at some point, leaving the team stranded without their supplies.”  Call me paranoid, but is it not more than a little bit difficult to misplace nine peoples’ giant bags of gear on a trailside?

If you happen to run into a dozen or so bags of climbing gear (or the porters for that matter) on your way up Kangchenjunga, the Russians would greatly appreciate it if you would contact Lena at info@russianclimb.com.

The missing gear is not only a loss for the team, but for all serious climbers. Kangchenjunga, which is located on the border between Inda and Nepal, is the third highest mountain in the world. The Russians had planned to work with in tandem with two other teams to fix ropes and build three high camps on the mountain. Now, that project may be in jeopardy.

However dire the situation may sound, at least everyone is safe. The worst case scenario for the Russians is that they will not complete their climb, and will have to hike back down and call their insurance company.

And, of course, go looking for those porters.

The post Russian Everest Expedition Stranded at Kangchenjunga, Gear Missing appeared first on XpatMatt.

The concept is simple.  Go to the Passports with Purpose website and donate as much or little as you like.  For every $10 USD you donate, you will be entered into a draw for a prize of your choice. Prizes include Airline tickets, electronics (including a Kindle and an iPad), tours, gift certificates, and luxury getaways.  Most prizes seem to range from about $150-200 USD, but the most expensive is “3 nights in an ocean view room at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, a luxury resort on Hawaii Island’s sunny Kohala Coast”, with a price tag of $2250 USD.

Not a bad reward for getting in the Christmas spirit and pitching in to help to put a roof over somebody’s head.

DONATE AND CHOOSE YOUR PRIZE NOW

More About PWP

PWP was founded by Debbie Dubrow, Pam Mandel,Beth Whitman and Michelle Duffy in 2008.  That year they raised $7,400 for Heifer International.  In 2009 they blew away their goal of  raising $14,000 to build a school in Cambodia, and raised $30,000, so they threw in a vegetable garden, a clean well, and a school nurse, in a addition to building the school.  The school, which was built with help from American Assistance for Cambodia, is already finished.

This year they have set the bar high.  PWP plans to build an entire village for Dalit (untouchables) in India.  To do this they are working together with LAFTI International, founded by Krishnammal Jagannathan and S. Jagannathan, which has won both the Right Livelihood Award and the Opus Prize for it’s humanitarian work. You can donate directly to LAFTI International here.

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Passports With Purpose is a charity run by travel bloggers that I got involved with this year after interviewing one of the founders.  PWP was founded by Debbie Dubrow, Pam Mandel,Beth Whitman and Michelle Duffy in 2008.  That year they raised $7,400 for Heifer International.  In 2009 they blew away their goal of  raising $14,000 to build a school in Cambodia, and raised $30,000, so they threw in a vegetable garden, a clean well, and a school nurse, in a addition to building the school.  The school, which was built with help from American Assistance for Cambodia, is already finished.

This year they have set the bar high.  PWP plans to build an entire village for Dalit (untouchables) in India.  To do this they are working together with LAFTI International, founded by Krishnammal Jagannathan and S. Jagannathan, which has won both the Right Livelihood Award and the Opus Prize for it’s humanitarian work.  At the bottom of this post is a video about the founders of LAFTI.

This is a reputable charity working for a good cause. I hope that you will consider helping out.  Anyone can help by donating through their website here.

Bloggers: please help out by signing up and helping to spread the word here. It costs nothing but a little bit of your time.

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