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Scientific evidence has shown the Imja Tsho glacial lake in the Khumbu is growing at a rate of 74m in length yearly. If it was to burst its banks, it would unleash a catastrophic Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) causing devastation along the downstream valleys affecting communities and ecology of the mountains, hill regions and also the dense population areas of the Gangetic plains.
To highlight this issue, the Beat the GLOF Action Run is being jointly organized in Khumjung, a village in the Everest region, on 18 June 2009 by WWF, the Sherwi Yondhen Tshokpa (a Sherpa students’ group) and iDEAS. The North Face and Asian Trekking are the main sponsors.
The run starts at IMJA Lake (5010m), the source of the biggest threat to the people of the Khumbu, and ends at Khumjung Village School, the first school built by Sir Edmund Hillary in Nepal. The route is approximately 42Km and follows the path of the potential GLOF. The route will takes us down the path of the Outburst Flood. The runners will run on the paths and bridges that will one day be washed away. They will see the forest and the farmland that will become desolate landscapes. They will cross bridges that will cease to exist, villages and villagers that will all be gone in a flash.
The “Beat the GLOF Action Run” creates an opportunity where local residents are the focal point and they will spearhead the campaign. This event will be the tipping point from awareness and education into Action.
It has been said: “Memory lasts only as long as the last person who remembers.” The run is being organised to show the world what lies in the path of destruction. The Action Run will demonstrate that even the fastest runner will not be able to outrun the fury of GLOF.
Event Partners and Sponsors:
