The Hope
Standard
HSS Idol, names a winner, with the finalists singing their hearts out for the title page 5
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THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015
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2 HONOURED Hope victim services founder is awarded the prestigious Staff Leadership Award in Burnaby over the weekend.
3 RIVER RESCUERS Members of Hope Search and Rescue complete new certifications in Tracking Awareness and Swiftwater Level 2 courses.
10 LITERARY GIANT Yale resident, Bill Kinsella, is set to launch his new compilation of short stories at the Hope Library, during an offical book signing.
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Shelley Empey Photo
A Nepalese woman and child, reflect the warm spirit of an earthquake ravaged country Local resident Shelley Empey, recalls her firsthand account of the tragedy in Nepal that started on April 25th, and was recently revisited with quake number two on May 12th. Her impressions of the Nepalese were of a loving group of people, who, though struggling with losing homes and loved ones remained bright and hopeful.
The long trek out of Nepal, one Hopite’s journey home Shelley Empey and Erin Knutson Hope Standard
A twelve day Adventure Trek with Earthbound Expeditions to celebrate her 50th birthday and that of her sister-in-law Deanna Empey, left Hope resident Shelley Empey amidst the survivors and chaos of the devastating earthquake that hit Nepal on April 25th, which was tragically followed by a second earthquake, rated at 7.3 in magnitude on May 12th.
“We were greeted with a heartfelt namaste from the owner of Earthbound Expeditions, Rajan Simkhada — a former guide himself, who has a passion for his country and the people of Nepal,” said Shelley of her arrival to the ancient country. Simkhada had done a lot of work with schools and orphanages in Nepal, according to Shelley who recalls him speaking of Nepal as one of the poorest countries in the world, largely in part, due to the lack of stability in govern-
ment over the past decade. The former guide was also adamant about the positive aspects of Nepal, which he also described as a developing nation, rich in many natural resources and in spirit. “He reminded us with a grin, to keep our expectations low and encouraged us to get out there and explore — after all we signed up for an "Adventure Trek.” The adventure bound Empey sister duo, toured a few UNESCO world heritage sights, including the ancient
city of Bahktapur, built between 1200 A.D. and 1500 A.D., which was destroyed by the ensuing earthquake. The pair rafted down the Trissuli river and camped over night on the riverbank. The Trissuli is comparative to the Thompson River — it’s a large river with nice floating sections and big holes, and rapids sections. Upon finishing a five day trek that started just outside the city of Pokhara up to Poon Hill, 3210 metres in elevation, where the Em-
pey’s watched the day break over the majestic Annapurna Range, a couple in their group had decided to get married in Pokhara. “On the morning of the earthquake, we had just taken the bride to go shopping for a sari. Deanna and I were inside of our hotel room on the third floor getting ready, when we felt the first tremors,” recalls Shelley, as her sister-in-law said "We're having an earthquake! What do we do?” Continued on 4
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