TRAVERSE 7
EDITORIAL
As this issue of Traverse goes to ' press ', Nepal is dealing with a level of devastation that is difficult to comprehend. The catastrophic landslides and flooding of August, followed by further flash flooding and destructive monsoon rains throughout September, have claimed lives, destroyed homes and infrastructure, cut vital roads and left communities facing the enormous task of rebuilding their lives.
For us, this is particularly difficult to watch because Nepal is not simply another destination we have written about. It is a country we know. We have ridden its roads on several occasions, travelled through its mountains and remote communities, shared meals and cups of tea with local people, and experienced the extraordinary warmth and generosity for which Nepal is so well known. Over the years, those journeys have created a genuine connection with the country and its people, and many of the memories we carry from Nepal have little to do with the riding itself. It is the people we remember most. The guide who goes out of his way to help, the mechanic who gets you back on the road, the family who welcomes you into their home, or the person you meet by chance and never forget. These are the experiences that make motorcycle travel so much more than simply riding from one place to another.
That is why we felt it was important to dedicate a feature in this issue to what is happening in Nepal. We wanted to acknowledge the scale of the tragedy, but also to look beyond the statistics and headlines to the people and communities at the centre of it. Behind every damaged road, washed-away bridge or destroyed building are families, businesses and individuals whose lives and
IN OUR THOUGHTS
livelihoods have been profoundly affected.
Nepal ' s tourism industry is also an important part of that story. For countless people, from guides and porters to guesthouse owners, restaurant workers, drivers, mechanics and motorcycle tour operators, visitors provide an essential source of income. When disaster strikes and travellers understandably cancel their plans, the economic consequences can continue long after the floodwaters have receded and the landslides have been cleared.
Nepal has welcomed Traverse readers time and again, and we feel a responsibility to acknowledge what its people are going through now. Our feature is our small contribution to keeping Nepal in the conversation and reminding our readers that, behind the spectacular mountains and legendary roads, there is a nation of people whose resilience is now being tested once again.
For now, though, there is little more we can say than this: our thoughts are with the people of Nepal, particularly those who have lost loved ones, homes, businesses and livelihoods. We hope the extraordinary resilience and spirit that we have witnessed every time we have travelled there will once again shine through, and that, in time, the roads will reopen, the communities will rebuild and riders will have the opportunity to return.
Until then, Nepal remains very much in our thoughts.
Leigh
Editorial- Leigh Wilkins
TRAVERSE 7