Nepal 2016 – Ngozumpa Glacier, Gokyo Valley
May 20 – June 12, 2016
Have you ever wanted to travel to the Himalaya? Truly immerse yourself in the wilds of the mountains? Experience trekking in the thin air, while helping a science project along the way? If so, join us for an unforgettable experience at over 15,000 ft. (4500+ m) on the Ngozumpa glacier in Nepal, site of our inaugural citizen-scientist expedition for Science in the Wild!
Includes: hotels in Kathmandu at start and end of trip; round-trip Lukla mountain flights; 3 meals/day, tea and lodging on trail; porter (to carry your bag) while on trail; park entrance and trekking permits/fees; Sherpa-Scientist trainee sponsorship
Excludes: international airfare, excess baggage fees, visa, rescue insurance, helicopter, alcoholic beverages, tips
The Ngozumpa, at 18 kilometers, is one of Nepal’s largest and longest glaciers. It is growing a large terminal lake called Spillway, which may someday pose a flooding hazard to the Sherpa villages down-valley. We have been studying this glacier since 2011, along the way training locals on research and field protocols through a Sherpa-Scientist Initiative. Now is your chance to join as a citizen-scientist and help us in continuing this important work. Come find out how we do science in the wild – from the data collection to the analysis and interpretation of our field investigations. Collecting the data is just half the battle!
During this expedition, you’ll have the chance to explore the culture of Kathmandu, immerse yourself in history as you travel in the footsteps of Everest explorers and climbers, and then go off the beaten path over 15,000 ft., in pursuit of scientific knowledge. Join us in a GPS hunt for retrieving underwater buoys, which have been collecting data on water temperatures and lake depth changes since summer 2014. Help rebuild a high-altitude weather station damaged in the 2015 earthquakes. Learn to pilot a robot to collect valuable imagery and data on glacial lakes. Go kayaking at 15,000 ft. on newly formed glacial lakes. Help train our local Sherpa-Scientist participants.
Take part in our ‘wild’ option, which includes the scientific project work while making use of basic teahouses on-route. Or, opt for a longer ‘wilder’ version, which includes a few extra days on more challenging terrain and a camping option near the border with Tibet.
Trip Itinerary
May 20 - Travel day
May 21 - Kathmandu
May 22 - Kathmandu cultural tour
May 23 - Fly to Lukla
May 24 - Namche Bazaar
May 25 - Namche Bazaar Acclimatization
May 26 - Dole
May 27 - Macchermo
May 28 - Tangnak
May 29 - 30 - Lake sonar
May 31 - Weather station repair
June 1 - Onwards to Gokyo
June 2 - Sonar surveys
June 3 - Ice cave
June 4 - 6th lake excursion
June 5 - Lake robotics
June 6 - Glacier climbing
June 7 - Back to Gokyo
June 8 - Down to Namche
June 9 - Down to Lukla
June 10 - Kathmandu
June 11 - Weather day/Kathmandu
June 12 - Departure*
Ok I'm interested, what do I do now?
Send us an email or give us a call to register your interest. We’ll provide you with a more detailed itinerary, route map, equipment list and required medical forms.
Click on the button below!