International Mountain Museum

Not many know of this jewel in Nepal - the International Mountain Museum in Pokhara. It is on a large section of land about a 30 minute walk east from Pokhara Damside through local farms. It costs 300 rupees (about $4). The entrance has a small chorten honoring those who have lost their lives in the Himalayas.

Inside there is a Tibetan gompa and many cultural displays of various areas in this part of the world, but oddly, they also have Austrian, Slovenian and some south American cultural costumes as well.

The main reason to visit is the well documented stories of climbing the highest peaks in the world - Everest, K2, Kangchenjunga, Makalu, Nanga Parbat, etc. There is a display of some of the refuse, used Oxygen tanks, equipment, etc. that a Japanese expedition made to remove the build up of garbage. (I remember Everest Base Camp (5300m) in 2006 being very clean, unlike some reports. Of course, some of the refuse remains higher on the mountain.)




Perhaps the most memorable displays are of some of the clothing and equipment past expeditions to the Himalayas have used. Very primitive crampons, down suits, mountaineering axes, leather boots and wool knickers. Other displays include the animals, flowers, trees and nature of Nepal. Often local school groups are in the museum on field trips. They are quite proud of this museum, and so they should be!