Monday, January 31, 2011

Jana Priya School Volunteers

Namaste to Everyone!
The Himalayan Education Development Project is proud to report that we will be having 6 teacher/volunteers trekking to Lumsa, Nepal this spring and summer to volunteer at The Jana Priya Secondary School located in the remote village of Lumsa. In order to get to the school, they will fly from Kathmandu, Nepal to the remote airstrip at Phaplu and then trek for two days to Lumsa.
Terry Edeli, a retired Teacher/Administrator and Curriculum specialist, will be coming in March and spending 3 weeks working with the teachers and administrators there on various techiniques of instruction.
Mike Nicholson, an AP Global Studies,U.S History Teacher, will be in Lumsa from June 15 until late July and will be working with the teachers there teaching Global Studies and English.
Jen Janowsky, a student at Southwestern High School, will be in Lumsa for 2 weeks in July as an assistant to Mike Nicholson. In addition, her parents, Eric Snabl and Sandy Meyers Snabl will be with her also, volunteering their services at the school and throughout the village.
I will be coming along also, as assistant trip leader. My wife, Sue will be with me also and hopefully bringing her talents as a violin teacher to the students and villagers!
It has been an incredible few months of planning!
Amber Tamang will be the trip leader as we all trek to and volunteer our services to the people of the village that is his home!
Our Best to Everyone!

Friday, January 14, 2011

Everest Climb Postponed

I was in full training mode for Everest this spring. Unexpectedly.. I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. On one of my recent trips to Nepal I contracted a virus which attacked my pancreas and eventually rendered it useless. I am now totally insulin dependent. Only 3 people with Type 1 Diabetes have climbed Everest..due to how the extremes of altitude, cold, and physical exertion affect monitors, blood levels etc.. My Drs. have advised that i wait for at least 6 months before attempting an Everest climb (as my diagnosis is so new0. At 57..I would be the oldest Type 1 Diabetic to have ever climbed Everest.
Instead, I am trekking to Everest Base Camp(17,600 ft) and climbing 2 smaller peaks (18,000+ ft)..as a "test run" for this new condition. I will be trekking for 30+ days at altitudes above 15,000 ft. If all goes well an October 2011 Everest attempt is possible.
I will be going to Base Camp with Dr. Joel Adelson( a good friend and outstanding physician)as well as David Noyes, an award winning journalist, photographer and extreme adventure traveler( who will be documenting this expedition.)
Improvise, Adapt and Overcome!
My thanks to Amber Tamang and 3 Jewels Adventures for their willingness to help make all this possible!
We are scheduled to trek to Base Camp from April 10 to May 25. We will be posting daily blogs/photos on this site!
My Best to Everyone!
Jim

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Holiday Wishes

Happy Holidays From All Of Us At HED!
It's been a Year filled helping build and support schools throughout theSolukhumbu region of Nepal as well as help young men and women realize their dream of obtaining a quality educational experience!
Amber Tamang and the HED board members and I want to Thank You All for your support and we wish You All The Best!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Unfortunate News

I am sorry to have to report the death of Ted Pasquale in a motorcycle accident! Ted and I went "way back" and, as often happens, we reconnected when in 2009 he contacted me about trekking to Everest Base Camp and climbing Island Peak.
We became very close friends, again, while meeting regularly and planning the trip.
ted was an accomplished "Adventure Traveler" and had organized multiple trips to Africa and climbed Mt. Kilamanjaro numerous times!
Ted and I spent a month together last October trekking to Everest Base Camp and attempted to climb Island Peak(20,308 ft). We were unable to due to weather conditions.
Ted was a "hard nosed" "Live Life To The Fullest" type guy and he and I became very close friends(again) on our month long trek to Base Camp!
The "Rest Of The Story" is that Ted designated any "Memorials" In His Name to be directed to The Himalayan Education Development Project! We are in the prcess of establishing The Ted Pasquale Memorial Fund. The top 3 graduates of the Jana Priya Secondary School will receive funds so that can furtherb their educational endeavors!
I will miss Ted more than words can express! And I am honored to have been able to spend time with him doing what we both love so much!!
In his honor, I will be wearing a Clemson hat on the 2011 Everest Climb and, hopefully placing it on the summit of Mt. Everest!
Amber Tamang and I wish You All The Best!!

Monday, October 18, 2010

A Busy Season!

Hello Everyone!
It has been a busy few months!
Amber has lead two treks in Ladakh and to Everest Base Camp. The fall trekking and climbing season in The Himalayas is winding down and now 3 Jewels Adventures can concentrate on the upcoming 2011 Everest South Clean Climb (March - May 2011).
We now have a fairly good group of Base Camp Support Trekkers signed up and hopefully the Summit Team will be adding more climbers also!
HED continues to grow thanks to the many people who send in donations and offer their time and services! One of the newest projects is The Shoe Revolution! We are looking for donations of gently used hiking shoes(size 6-8), winter coats, gloves, hats etc. These will be given to the Nepalese Guides, Porters and Support Staff who work in the Trekking and Climbing industry in the Himalayas. For more information about The Shoe Revolution and how you can donate contact me at jr_tillotson@yahoo.com.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Everest South 2011 Clean Climb Update

Training is on schedule and involves long distance runs, strength training and yoga/Tai Chi for balance and flexibility.
Amber has been on an extended trek to his home village in Lumsa. He has taken HED funds to pay for the teacher/Librarian pay for The Jana Priya School.
He will also be travelling to The Full Moon Shaman Festival to document this ancient, and soon to be forgotten, event!
I am working with various Gear Companies in obtaining some Everest Essentials.Gear and Training(www.gearandtraining.com)has been fantastic in helping me to get the best deals available! Steven McCarthey, Owner, has been going "the extra mile"! And I am extremely grateful!
When you are facing tempatures of -50 below and winds in excess of 60+ MPH....You can't "compromise on quality"!
The Himalayan Education Development Project is "on board" to be the major contributor for a Mini Hydo-Electric Project in the Tapting region of Nepal. It will also serve The Jana Priya Secondary School, one of HED's premier projects.
When completed....it will be the first time this area and the school has ever had electricity!
Thank You All for Your Continuing Interest and Support!
Amber Tamang and Jim Tillotson

Sunday, August 22, 2010

2011 Everest Clean Climb

So far, I am the only "non Nepali" climber signed up for The 2011Everest Clean Climb.
I am fine with that because it means that KB Tamang(2009 Solo Everest Climber ) will be my personal Guide!
Training is progressing according to schedule and I am now running (treadmill) 6 miles per day(working up to 10 miles)! Also there is stationary bike work and, starting in Sept., carrying/running a hilly course (4 miles) with backpack weight starting at 30lbs and gradually increasing to 60lbs.
January 2011 I will be training on Mt. Washington NH.for a week. Ice climbing, crampon skills, Jumar work and other skills.
Even though Everest has become a somewhat "commercial" climb....it is still a very Dangerous,Challenging Endeavor that sees more Failures Than Triumphs!