We set up the Guide Exchange Programme in 2016 as part of our wider CSR strategy to recognise the great work of all our local guides throughout the world. Mohamed Toudaoui from Morocco won the award in 2016. At Earth’s Edge, we send an Irish expedition leader and doctor on all expeditions in order to deliver an unrivalled standard of safety and service.
Local guides and staff
They are assisted by amazing local guides and support staff, without whom we could not be in operation. Regardless of where we’re working, be it climbing Kilimanjaro, trekking to Annapurna Base Camp or scaling Mera Peak we are very much dependent on our local guides.
They know the routes, local weather patterns and other snippets of information picked up through a lifetime of work in a given area. All of our local guides are so passionate about the mountains and work extremely hard and this programme is one of the ways we try to give back to the communities we work in.
We wanted to recognise the great work of all our local guides throughout the world and also share knowledge between our guides in all the different countries we work with. In 2017 we changed the selection process from a public vote to asking each of our 14 Irish expedition leaders who they felt most deserved the award. We felt this was a better way to reward excellent work.
2017 Guide Exchange Programme winner
In 2017 we are delighted to announce Lakpa Pinasa Sherpa as the winner. Lakpa has worked on over 15 Earth’s Edge expeditions since 2012. He is a total professional stopping at nothing to make sure all our guests have a wonderful time in Nepal.
You can recognise him by his ever-present, infectious smile and positive can-do attitude. Lakpa is always giving us feedback on how we can improve our expeditions in Nepal and this summer he is going his climbing course so he can work with us on peak ascents as well as treks.
In August 2018, Lakpa is joining our expedition to Kilimanjaro. He is really excited about climbing Kili and learning how our crew in Tanzania operate treks. He is also hoping to share his own knowledge from trekking to the foot of the world’s highest mountain over 100 times! We will let you know how he gets on!
