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The Stink Patrol A number of organizations work to keep natural areas free of the trash people leave in the wake of their outdoor appreciation, Leave No Trace teach es wilderness travelers how to mini mize their impact on the outdoors. The Colorado-based organization works with youth and user groups (such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, mountain bik ers and rock climbers). and land man agers to promote responsible outdoor recreation. While the Leave No Trace ..>< c ro -0 .� OJ .92 concept was developed by forest ser vice management more than 30 years ago, the nonprofit group didn't incorpo rate until 1994. But they've already made great strides. They have about 100 partners in the outdoor industry and provide the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and Outward Bound with material for hands-on training programs. Unlike Kathmandu in Nepal, Pakistani towns don't have guides on every street corner. If visions of scaling summits such as K2 (28,250 feet), Nanga Parbat (26,660 feet) or Chogolisa (25,110 feet) flash before your eyes, and you're not an .expert moun taineer, make climbing arrangements before leaving. This can be extremely difficult. Because Pakistan's peaks are exceptionally technical, and the region lacks a devel oped mountaineering infrastructure, stateside companies usually don't offer guided trips to the various summits. The inherent risks are too dangerous and no one wants a tragedy on their hands. Fortunately, Mountain Madness (800-328-5925) is run ning a six-week trip to the summit of Gasherbrum II (26,360 feet) in the summer of 1999. The trip will bring a small group along the lower alpine rock faces of the Baltoro Glacier. International Mountain Guides (360-569-2604) also plans to lead a 1999 trip to the top of either Gil or Broad Peak (26,400 feet). The usual sus pects offer treks through the region. Check out the AdventureTtravel Directory on page 78. Although some climb in September and October, the best climbing is between June and August. Winter is out of the question. The American Mountain Guides Association's website (www.amga.com) lists guides along with a host of other impor tant information. Another great resource is Climbing magazine's classifieds which list expeditions led by companies such as New Zealand's Adventure Consultants. Visas and climbing permits: US citizens need tourist visas to enter Pakistan. Visas are available from the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, DC (202-939-6200). and the Consulates General of Pakistan in New York (21 2-879-5800) and Los Angeles (31 0-441 -9256). For permits, contact Mr Aziz Ahmad at the Tourism Division in Islamabad (+92 51 9203509; Sector F-7/2, Islamabad, Pakistan). Further information is on www.Pakpowerpage.com. MC 'ir�r' :-' II. Ii? m: '! r . " . . 'I" li " ) ... , JI': / . t ,' , ,. . \ . � , � .;.r , \, ./ 11 'J$ t·�(" �· - ,, � I :.. : . 0 1: � ' •�{" '.', . . l ' .,. � , . ' . ,. ," 'f. I:' ' " ,' ,J / . ;\< "�I:r:": ,I/;., ,- :(. �: ). , 1£'( ""'(ႀ " > . • . . , , ..'. / t) 1 .. 1":' $ " "�,, "\ \: •• 'I, " , ____ \ The Student Con servation Association (SCA) began 41 years ago in an attempt to interest young people to work in national parks. Today, SCA offers vari ous programs, among them one that sends college students into the field to work with wildlife and natural resource educators. SCA also offers year-round programs in Washington, DC, Seattle, San Francisco and Newark for inner city youth. The collected SCA pro grams range from waterway and trail clean-up to habitat restoration and endangered species conservation. Meanwhile, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) helped cre ate Nepal's Sagamartha Pollution Control Committee in 1991 . In addition to removing trash from around Mt Everest. the committee improves trails and helps communities with reforesta tion projects. WWF also works with FUDENA in Venezuela on coastal clean up projects.-MC LEAVE NO TRACE: 800-332-4100, www.lnt.org STUDENT CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION: 603-543-1700, www.sca-inc.org WORLD WILDLIFE FUND: www.panda.org 202-293-4800,