International Mountain Explorers Connection

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Overview

The International Mountain Explorers Connection (IMEC) is a U.S. 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization based out of Boulder, Colorado. IMEC has a dual approach: working to benefit the local populations, primarily focusing on porters, while also working to educate visitors and link them to ways they can assist the local populations, particularly in demanding fair treatment for porters.

IMEC advocates that everyone in the trekking industry – overseas companies, local agents, trek leaders, and trekkers – should shoulder the responsibilities and costs of taking crews into the highest mountains of the earth.

Through its Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP) in Moshi, IMEC’s focus is improving the distressing working conditions of the porters on Kilimanjaro.

Mission

Promoting responsible and sustainable connections between travelers and the people of developing mountain regions of the world.

History

The International Mountain Explorers Connection was founded in 1996 in Boulder, Colorado. Through its Porter Assistance Project, IMEC is focusing its efforts on improving the working condition for porters on Kilimanjaro and in Nepal.

In addition to Boulder, Colorado, we currently have offices in Moshi, Tanzania and, in collaboration with The Mountain Fund, in Kathmandu, Nepal. These offices store gear for our Porter Assistance Projects and offer information regarding proper porter treatment to climbers.

Program

Lending donated clothing at no charge to the porters for use while climbing

Providing free classes for the benefit of the porters in English, HIV/AIDS Awareness, Money Management, and First Aid Certification

Educating the public on the porter working conditions and providing Guidelines for Proper Porter Treatment

Monitoring climbing company practices on Mount Kilimanjaro

Impact

Through IMEC's Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project, since 2005, IMEC has:

Sponsored classes in First Aid, conversational English, HIV/AIDS Awareness, and Money Management for 7,021 porters

Trained 30 porters and guides as Community-Based First Aid Instructors

Outfitted 4,454 porters with proper mountain-climbing gear.

CEO

Scott Dimetrosky

After exhausting the exploration opportunities in the Pocono Mountains near Philadelphia, where he grew up, Scott ventured towards the higher mountains of the world. After numerous journeys in North and South America, he found his way to the Himalayas, the "abode of snow".

In his first excursion to the Himalayas, in 1995, he completed a six-month traverse of the entire Himalayan range, through Pakistan, India, and Nepal. Disturbed by the negative environmental and cultural impacts of tourism that he witnessed on this trip, Scott created the International Mountain Explorers Connection, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that seeks to minimize the deleterious effects of tourism on the fragile mountain environments and cultures.

Board

Andy Crisconi
Wes Krause
Peter Ling
Tim Magney
Barb Munson
Anna Oursler
Ken Wace
Jack Zuzack

Countries

Tanzania, United Republic of

States

Colorado

Contact

PO BOX 3665
BOULDER, CO 80307-3665
Phone: (303) 998-0101
www.mountainexplorers.org
EIN: 84-1348903


Basic Needs

Countries and Regions

Education

Health

English course

1 week English classes

International Mountain Explorers Connection

Regular price $25.00

This gift will provide a teacher's salary for 1 week of English classes in the village areas surrounding Mount Kilimanjaro. Classes are 2 hours long for a size of 20 porters who receive this language instruction for free.


Clothe Porters

1 month clothing care

International Mountain Explorers Connection

Regular price $50.00

This gift will provide for 1 months maintenance of the Clothing Lending Program for the porters. Our clothing stock includes waterproof ski jackets, rain jackets and pants, fleece pullovers, hats, gloves, scarves, socks, and boots. We are currently providing gear for 300 porters per month.


Services to porters

1 month's office rent

International Mountain Explorers Connection

Regular price $300.00

This gift will provide for 1 month's rent for the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project's (KPAP) office. Through KPAP's office porters can obtain clothing to climb the mountain and free educational classes. The KPAP office also serves as an informational center for climbers regarding the proper treatment of porters.


HIV/AIDS class

1 class for 20 porters

International Mountain Explorers Connection

Regular price $10.00

This gift will provide (1) two hour class of HIV/AIDS Awareness instruction to 20 porters in the village areas surrounding Mount Kilimanjaro.


Educate Porters

1 wk First Aid Course

International Mountain Explorers Connection

Regular price $100.00

This gift will provide for the two Porter Instructors' salaries for a 1 week certification course in First Aid in which a class size of 15 porters, living in the village areas surrounding Kilimanjaro, can be certified in First Aid.