Setopokhari valley in National newspapers of Nepal

 Translated from Rajdhani Daily Newspaper

Death of tourist porter due to high altitude

Solukhumbu November 10, 2012 : Due to altitude sickness a porter of tourist died in Setopokhari valley of Solukhumbu. Mekh Raj Kulung from Solukhumbu Chheskam 4 who went there as a porter to pass Amphulapchha through Merala pass died in Setopokhari valley. He was a porter of French tourists. Neither the helicopter for his rescue from Kathmandu succeeded to land due to unfavorable weather nor he succeeded to pass Merala pass that are the major reason why he died there.When tourists reach Setopokhari valley, the Merala pass is the easiest way to back for those trekkers who become sick of altitude but it is also of at least 5415 m.

"Helicopter was sent immediately when reported to the office but unfortunately it backed without landing due to the weather condition on Saturday.Then we re-sent helicopter on Sunday early morning but he was already expired sadly" Pasang Renji Sherpa the operation manager of Thamserku Trek & Expedition Pvt. Ltd said. It will be very difficult to back from this valley, when the weather change in to stormy and rainy. There is a difficult geographical situation to back for crossing at least a mountain pass among four of Merala 5415 m., Amphulapchha 5800 m, Mingbola 5817 and Sherpeni col pass 6135 m. Yearly numbers of porters use to die in this valley so that local peoples from Solukhumbu Chheskam have been demanding to develop a new tourism rescue way from Phaplu to Setopokhari valley in which it will not be any pass and it will flow the Hungga river. 

News of Sourya Daily

Translation from Sourya daily

Death of 3 tourists in trekking trip

Monday Nov. 12, 2012 Kathmandu:  Three trekkers in Mustang trekking have been found death. It was in last week. According to the Trekking Agent Association of Nepal (TAAN) the death three trekkers are Israeli, German, and Australian citizen. Death of Iran Kohen a 25 years Israeli tourist held in Kaligandaki River after he felt down from wooden bridge. His death body was found at 3 kilometer down from the River. Kohen went trekking alone. Next trekker German citizen Elka Denid's death held due to high altitude. Denid became sick at altitude of 5100 high meter and was taken to the local health post but he did not live TAAN resource said. Similarly next tourist Australian Citizen Josef Joan's death held in tent. His death was called due to heart act. Last month 11 tourists was death due to snowfall in Mountain Manaslu.

Meanwhile a trekking porter's death held in Setipokhari valley of Solukhumbu. Mekh Raj Kulung a porter of French team who went Setipokhari valley from Lukla through Merala pass and Amphulapcha pass died in Setipokhari. Kulung resident of Chheskam Solukhumbu was death after he reached Setipokhari of around 3700 m high altitude. According to Pasang Renji Sherpa the operating manager of Thamserku trekking company, the sent helicopter for rescue of him had backed without bringing him due to unfavorable weather to land and they could not rescue him. Kulung was associated as a porter from this office. Other sick tourists and porters have already been rescued. It was operated rescue works after when they was in trouble due to snowing in small valley like a pond.

Setipokhari is a very risky trekking zone. As per locals tourists have to pass at least one among of 4 mountain passes available to back from this valley. 'But it is really difficult in case of snowing' Baga man Kulung a local said. Locals of lower Solukhumbu have been demanding to construct a new trekking route from Phaplu to Setipokhari that can be used without passing any peaks as a rescue way. Makalu and Mera peak are under this way but really difficult to access Kulung added. At least 2/3 tourists have been dying in this valley per year. 

News of Nagarik daily newspaper

 Translation from Nagarik Daily newspaper 

Brought death body by helicopter

 

Solukhumbu Nov. 12, 2012:  Death body of a porter died before some days has been brought Phaplu by the helicopter. Death body of Mekhraj Kulung who went for trekking has been brought from Khongmadingma valley to Phaplu district hospital. He was died before 3 days. Kulung was going to trekking in association of Thamserku Trekking Company towards Amphulapcha pass died said local police administration. Mr. Kulung resident of Chheskam 4, Solukhumbu has been working as a trekking worker since 20 years.