EVEREST WOMEN'S SEVEN SUMMITS ECO-ACTION

PRESS RELEASE:
EVEREST WOMEN'S SEVEN SUMMITS ECO-ACTION

In July 2010 a team of nine Nepali women will begin the first international leg of a tour that will see them climb seven of the highest peaks on each of the seven continents. On successfully climbing all seven summits they will be setting a world record for being the largest team to do so.

The team will be using their expedition to highlight the urgent issue of
climate change, and as part of this focus the ***whole team has now adopted a vegan diet for the entire tour***. This decision was made in response to the wealth of information regarding the overwhelming impact human food choices have on climate change, including the recent UN study which indicates that a global shift towards plant based eating is one of the best ways to alleviate most significant environmental damage, including climate
change.

Further to this personal commitment, the project will be made carbon neutral
via carbon offsetting. The team have partnered with a local Nepali NGO,
Clean Energy Nepal, for that. They are focusing on solar lanterns, bio-gas,
and tree plantations in the Himalayan villages to offset the carbon emission
resulting from the project.

In May 2008 this team of inspiring young women became the most successful
women's expedition ever to Summit Mt Everest. Against all kinds of
socio-economic odds the team succeeded in doing what none thought possible.
All of them reached the summit and spread the message of 'Unity in Diversity'
from the top of the world.

During that expedition the issue of climate change struck the members
deeply, and subsequent travels across the country motivating students
allowed them to witness further instances of the serious effects of climate
change. So with the first, and arguably the most challenging summit behind
them the climbers have now taken up a mission that is both meaningful and
helpful not just in Nepal but globally.

The members of the team are Asha Kumari Singh, Chunu Shrestha, Maya Gurung,
Ngabhang Phuti Sherpa, Nimdoma Sherpa, Pema Diki Sherpa, Pujan Acharya,
Shailee Basnet and Usha Bist. Each of these young women has her own
compelling story of struggle, challenges, hope and determination. Born of
poor parents, one started supporting her family when she was in the sixth
grade. Another ran away from home to unknown destination to escape forced
marriage at the age of fourteen. Their backgrounds combined with the
previous success and a new vision makes this global expedition, led by such
intrepid young women quite unique.

The Seven Summits Eco-Action kick-starts in Australia on the 29th of June.
The team fly into Sydney and travel down to the south coast of NSW and then
up to the alpine region, to climb Mt Kosciuszko/ Targangil in early July.
They will be meeting with schools, environment groups, famous climbers,
environmentalists, scientists and politicians during their tour, as well as
speaking at several public events in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne.

2010 marks the tenth anniversary of diplomatic relations being established
between Australia and Nepal and a ceremony to celebrate this will be held in
Canberra where the team will present token of commemoration to the
Australian Government

The next peak in the challenge, Mt Elbrus in Europe, will be followed by
Kilimanjaro (Africa), Vinson Massif (Antarctica), Aconcagua (South America),
Carstensz Pyramid (Oceania) and Denali (North America). The team will be
raising funds during their Australian trip to support future climbs.

The Australian part of the project is supported by Government of Nepal,
Nepal Mountaineering Association, Nepal Tourism Year 2011, The North Face,
The Crossing Land Education Trust, Outdoor Education Group, and the 'Be
Vegan, Go Green-Save the Planet' campaign, Non-Residential Nepalis and Nari
Nikunja.

The team has made the following vision and mission statements:

Vision: Providing hope to people and empowering them by sharing knowledge
about tools for mitigation and adaptation through education and cross
cultural learning in order to promote sustainable co-existence of nature and
human beings.

Mission: Climb the seven summits, conduct educational exchange programmes on
climate change in each continent and finally compile the global knowledge in
educational materials including a book, animations and posters which will
be distributed in schools and libraries in various languages worldwide.

Everest Women's Seven Summits
Eco-Action Web site:
www.sevensummitswomen.org

Australian contact:
Jenny McCracken,
Darebin Climate Action Network,
Phone: 0431 587830
Email; jam2arts@...

Summary of Group Itinerary

29th June-4th July: arrive Sydney, travel to The Crossing Land Education
Trust, Bermagui.
5th July-8th July: In Jindabyne and Thredbo, climbing Mt Kosciuszko with
Outdoor Education Group
9th-10th July: In Sydney with Nepali community
11th-12th July: In Canberra with Nepali Embassy
13th July onwards: In Victoria.
Mt Arapiles, then Melbourne with local climate action networks and Nepali
community
18th July depart Australia, Melbourne.