Sustainable mountaineering expedition coaching
Mountain Synergies has started since January 2021 to assist professional mountaineer and Mountain Synergies’ Founding Member Jost Kobusch with the preparations of his Everest Solo Winter Expedition 2021/2022
© Photo credit : Daniel Hug
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Jost Kobusch has always been concerned by the various impacts of mountaineering and climbing activities on mountain regions and their inhabitants. He wanted to organize and realise his expedition in such a way that it both creates socio-economic development for the local communities and limits his environmental footprint in the Everest region.
By choosing the winter season for his ascension, Jost Kobusch wishes to come at a less crowded time and to provide a source of income outside the regular season for the local staff.
Jost was asked to use during the preparation phase and to test in the field the recommendations of the Waste Management Manual for Sustainable Mountaineering Expeditions. His feedback will be very valuable in updating the Manual and sharing the best practices regarding more sustainable mountain expeditions with the community.
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© Photo credit : Daniel Hug
Some of the measures aimed at creating a positive impact are presented here:
Preparations phase:
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reducing the amount of food packaging (especially plastics);
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vegan diet;
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training locally, around Chamonix and European Alps, using local transport/car sharing.
Travel phase:
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offsetting travel carbon emissions/GHG emissions via Wilderness International, by avoiding as much as possible emissions (using instead other solutions like domestic flights etc.) and offsetting the rest (for example international flight travels or other polluting means of transportation difficult to avoid).
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Approach phase:
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equipment transported by porters, no helicopter;
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accommodation with the locals in the lodges along the approach trail;
Acclimatization phase:
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use of public transport;
Climbing phase:
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minimal base camp and high camps;
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leave-no-trace approach, all human waste brought down from the high camps;
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minimal use of fixed safety equipment on the mountain;
Post Expedition phase:
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share lessons learned during expedition regarding sustainable solutions.
Would you like to change your expeditions’ impact ? Contact us.
