August 11, 2011 Remember the Kids; Trek Training August 26th to 27th at Lake Louise

Students at Grand Opening
With Zeke O'Connor and
Foundation Staff

The kids in the picture remind us of our goal for the Everest Trek. Yes, there will be incredible adventure. But the bottom line is helping the kids. I just got back from Europe and am going through my intray and emails. The Bourg D’Osians cycling event and Mont-Blanc du Tacul were amazing experiences. We also had a great time visiting family. I’m now gearing up for the count down to the Everest Rotary Trek. Twenty-eight trekkers have already registered. A few weeks back I sent out a notice of our upcoming training weekend at the Lake Louise Hostel. Please let me know if you can attend but, more important, contact the Lake Louise Hostel and make arrangements for your accommodation. Training is planned for August 26 and 27, 2011, in the Lake Louise area. Training will be led by highly qualified and experienced specialists who will lead the group on a 2-day-trek in a scenic mountain environment while demonstrating fitness, walking paces, coping with scree and other relevant skill building activities. While there will be a lot of information shared, the weekend will also include heavy injections of “fun” into a weekend away in the mountains. Check out full information in the media section. Karl Herzog as told to Robyn Braley

July 9th, 2011 - Peak of Mont-Blanc du Tacul Reached As Plan “B”.

Karl and Michael
On Mont-Blanc du Tacul

I will definitely need to be disciplined in training for Everst. We just got back to Chamonix after attempting the Mont Blanc climb. Michael and I (my brother) planned to ascend the Mont Blanc 3 Summit Traverse after spending the night in the fabulous Cosmiques Hut. We needed to start the climb at 2:00 am but couldn’t begin until 8:30 am due to high winds. That meant no climbers could try for the summit due to the reduced length of climbing time and concerns about wind. As an alternative, we climbed Mont-Blanc du Tacul, a subsidiary peak at 4248m. We went up through a large snow field. I will share more details at the training camp at Lake Louise. Karl Herzog as told to Robyn Braley

July 4th, 2011 Taking a Break in 30+ Heat

Karl and Michael Along
 Tour De France Route

Yesterday we took a break. Tomorrow at 7:30 am we start the race with 8000 others. The route of 174km will be covered in one day. It has been very hot-in the 30’s! I am not making any predictions. We’ll see how it goes. Karl Herzog as told to Robyn Braley

July 2nd, 2011 Karl and Michael Herzog Cycle Hills Steeped in Tour de France Legend

Alpe D'Huez from 30000ft.

Michael and I arrived last Saturday in Bourg D’Osians. No comparison to anything I’ve seen. What an amazing preparation for the Himalayas. As we cycled we were blown away by the spectacular views and unbelievably huge hills that are steeped in Tour de France lore. On Monday -Col du Glandon, Col du Croix de Fer, Tuesday- Col duTelegraphe, Col du Galibier and Wednesday- Alpe D’Huex. Amazing! Karl Herzog as told to Robyn Braley

June 17th, 2011 - Zeke O’Connor Reports on Phaplu School Grand Opening



Byron Smith, Zeke
O'Connor, Karen O'Connor,
Nima McElhinney

Zeke O’Connor of the Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation was in Nepal for the grand opening of the first stage of the Phaplu school May 21.

"The new High School will definitely help the Sherpa students. I am so greatful for the Calgary West Rotary Club’s partnership with The Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation to help raise funds to finish the new school in the village of Phaplu."

Although the school will be completed over the next three years, the first phase was officially opened during the May 21 ceremony. It will be the first High School in the Solu-Khumbu area with Science being taught in grades 11 and 12. When completed, the new school will accommodate 150 students who would not normally have the opportunity to study sciences in the remote area of Nepal.

"As I said during the opening ceremony, I am most honored to have a school named after me. This really makes it special," O'Connor continues. "It's going to provide science courses for the poorer people in that area. Before they would have to go to Kathmandu if they wanted to become a doctor or go on to higher education and most of these people could not afford it." Zeke O’Connor as told to Doris Fleck(UniMark Creative Services)

May 27th, 2011 - 28 Registered Trekkers

Sherpa school at Phahlu

We have 28 people registered with several others considering the Rotary Everest Trek. Good news on the school in Phahlu. On May 22,  Zeke O’Connor of the Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation inaugurated the first three classrooms. Last year there was a hole in the ground and now there is a completed building! The attached pic shows the first Grade 8 class. With our help the other buildings will be completed soon. Karl Herzog as told to Robyn Braley

May 6, 2011 - Samantha Terry at Red Deer Rotary Convention

Pauline Terry, Samantha Terry,
Byron Smith, Karl Herzog

Everytime I work with Samantha Terry and her mom Pauline I am amazed at how someone so young can have such an impact on others. She wowed the Rotarians who attended the District 5360 conference April 29^th in Red Deer.  The 14 year old has inspired her family, school and community to raise awareness and funds for education projects in developing nations. The Taber resident raised $30,000 for the Room To Read Foundation (RRF) that organizes literacy programs. At the conference Samantha teamed up with Byron Smith of The Sir Edmond Hillary Foundation to talk about her part in Rotary Everest Trek 2012 to benefit Sherpa children. Samantha expects to raise funds through various projects involving her classmates, Southern Alberta businesses and her community. She will join another group to visit the Nepal school in the summer of 2012.  Karl Herzog as told to Robyn Braley