Summiting Mount Everest for a Cause

I am climbing the world’s highest mountain in Spring 2022 to spread awareness of climate change and to record performing music concert at the highest altitude on land. During my expedition, I will also be joining the Nepalese army for the mountain cleaning campaign, organized by the Government of Nepal. My long-term goals are to advocate for climate change, inspire other people to act on climate change, and uplift and strengthen the livelihood of indigenous people and communities in remote areas of Nepal.

 

About me:

I am Raju Lama, lead singer of the Nepalese musical band “Mongolian Heart.” Our band was formed in 1992, and I have been in the music industry for 29 years. In addition to this, I was one of the coaches in The Voice of Nepal Seasons 2 and 3 and The Voice of Kids Nepal Season 1. During Covid-19 global pandemic, I spent most of my time hiking and trekking in and outside of Kathmandu Valley. In April 2021, I successfully summitted the Lobuche Peak (6,119 meters) located in the Everest Region of Nepal. That was my first high-altitude mountain climbing, and it encouraged me to climb the world’s highest mountain this year. Unlike Lobuche Peak, which I climbed out of passion, I am climbing Mount Everest for a cause.

 

 

 

When I am not performing, I engage in social works for underprivileged communities through my foundation, “Raju Lama Foundation”. Some of my social works include the construction of a suspension bridge called “ Maya ko Sanghu” in Baruwa VDC, Sindupalchowk that provided safe passage for people in the valley after the tragic 2015 earthquake, delivery of emergency and disaster relief supplies to several villages in Sindupalchowk that were affected by the devastating flood during the Covid-19 global pandemic, and most recently distribution of warm winter jackets and bags to 200 school kids in villages affected by Melamchi and Yangri flood.

 

 

 

 

Goals for my climbing:

1. To spread the message of climate change awareness, and

2. To set a record of performing a music concert at the highest altitude on land.

 

Importance of Climate Change:

Climate change is causing glaciers to melt everywhere across the globe. Glaciers in Nepal’s Himalayan regions are melting at an unprecedented rate, and one of the effects of melting glaciers is an increase in glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), which can be devastating to the downstream habitations.

 

Another impact of climate change is the increase in extreme weather events such as intense storms and flooding. Recently, the destructive Melamchi and Yangri flood hit our ancestral land in Sindupalchowk, Nepal, sweeping away almost all parts of the Village, including the residential properties and roadways that were the only affordable and viable means of transportation for them.

 

 

 

Climate change impacts our health, environment, and economy. The sooner we act, the better we will be able to save our future generations from its adverse effects. If more people are aware of climate change impacts, they can either take their own initiatives or raise their voices so our government can take action on climate change.

 

Conclusion:

I hope my attempt to summit the world’s highest mountain will inspire many people to act on climate change. I request you all for your kind donation and support to help me accomplish my goals. The fund raised through this campaign will be used for climate change awareness campaigns and provide emergency and disaster relief supplies to the remote areas affected by natural calamities.

 

Thank you,

Raju Lama