The Rest of the List

Several people have been requesting to see the 'rest' of the list of gear we are requesting to be donated for the Pakistani Women's Climbing Camp, so here it is.

We'll premise this list with a little bit of information. The format of the camp is that 100 women start, with basic camping instruction and a two day hike on the dry Pasu glacier. After 5 days the group will be paired down to 40 or so of those who are having fun and feeling good. They will move on to a week of mountaineering training on the Pasu glacier and in Khunjerab Pass, near the border with China. The course will conclude with an attempt of 19,000+ foot Kushaikh peak. That explains why we are only asking for 30-50 of many things even though we are serving 100 women.

Also, you will notice it is not a complete packing list: the Alpine Club of Pakistan is securing a lot of donations in-country and from other sources. The enclosed list is specific areas of the gear list we have been requested to help with. Most of it we can take new or used. Receipts can be provided for tax deductions.

So, here is the list:

Our apologies if it is hard to read: please contact us to receive a normal, readable version of it. See the next post down for addresses to send donations. Remember, all donations must be received by July 10.

Thank you for your help!

Send us yer boots!

Climbers, ex-climbers, guiding companies, climbing shops, boot and crampon manufacturers:
"Send us your boots!"
Help us give hopeful Pakistani climbing students a leg up by sending small to medium sized new or kindly used mountaineering boots and crampons.
Preference is size 5-9 women's (up to size 7 men's or 35-40 euro size) lightweight double plastic mountaineering boots (though we are not being picky). Also, small light weight mountaineering crampons (walking or 12 point).
Dig into your gear closet--or your girlfriend's /wife's /daughter's /grandmother's gear closet; buy out your local consignment store; beg the back-up stash from your local guide service and send them to:

Sallie Dean Shatz
Sallie Dean Shatz Photography
0068 Blue Sage Lane
Snowmass, CO 81654

OR

Eastern Mountain Sports Climbing School
c/o Janet Bergman
2760 Main Street
North Conway, NH 03860

The Alpine Club of Pakistan will help cover extra shipping costs incurred in getting them to Pakistan. After the camp your donated boots will live a long life being worn for multiple other education programs.

Help us give these women warm toes and a good time!

Tax-deduction receipts for your donation can be provided; just let us know that you would like it. Contact Janet with questions. All donations must be received by July 10.

Thank you!!!

2007 Pakistani Women's Climbing Camp

Increasing numbers of all female expeditions are exploring the world's mountain ranges, achieving highly technical climbs in a sport traditionally dominated by men. Pakistani women are ready to join the world of climbing as well. Their country is home to three major mountain ranges - the Himalaya, Karakoram and Pamir - and K2, the second highest mountain in the world. Pakistani women have been unable to learn to climb as cultural norms do not allow contact between men and women who are not directly related and all the climbing instructors in Pakistan are men.

A group of American guides will travel to Pakistan in the summer of 2007 to facilitate a mountaineering course for up to 100 Pakistani women. The goal of the project is to expose women to the world of climbing and mountaineering. Their experience may lead to careers not previously available to them in a growing tourism industry, in mountain rescue or guiding.

The course will take place on and around the Passu and Batura glaciers in Northern Hunza, followed by an attempt 19,619-foot Kusheikh Peak, near Khunjerab Pass. Training will be progressive, starting with the basics of mountain survival, travel, and safety. Technical rock and ice climbing as well as glacier travel and self-rescue will be taught throughout the course.

An American team of six guides will travel with a photographer and cinematographer. Pakistan's Ministry of Tourism has been cooperative through the planning stages and the project may receive the official endorsement of Sehba Musharraf, the First Lady of Pakistan.

At a time when their cultures seem increasingly more divergent, the American Alpine Club and Alpine Club of Pakistan have found accord in the mountains for nearly thirty years. Last year’s joint earthquake relief efforts resulted in 28 tons of supplies being distributed within the earthquake zone and with funds raised, the building and outfitting of a girl’s school. The Pakistan Women's Climbing Camp is the leading effort of the two clubs for 2007.

The project is seeking support in the form of funding and climbing/camping gear. Donations can be made through the American Alpine Club or the Mountain Fund.

Donate through the American Alpine Club - ***Dont forget to type 'Pakistani Womens Climbing Camp' in the 'Comments' section so that the donation is earmarked correctly.

Donate through the Mountain Fund - click 'donate now' and check off the Pakistani Womens Climbing Camp.

For more information on current gear needs, contact team member Heidi Kloos.

For any other questions contact team members Janet Bergman or Sallie Dean Shatz.

(all photos posted here by Sallie Dean Shatz)