Exploring the world
of the high Himalaya.

In the summer of 2019, I embarked on an expedition across the Nepali Himalaya with the goal of studying the people and socioeconomic system of the region. My primary aim was to understand the impacts of the mountaineering and adventure tourism industry on Nepal—both positive and negative—in hopes of gaining the critical insight necessary to fuel my ventures in founding a sustainable exploration organization (now underway).

Generously funded by the Lumos Foundation in partnership with Belmont University, this fellowship allowed me to dive deep into the real world of Nepal. I split my expedition into three phases: 1) Trekking across the Everest Region, 2) Working in environmental conservation across the Annapurna region, and 3) Assisting healthcare professionals at a hospital in the capital of Kathmandu. Each phase gleaned unique insights, from the visible impacts of the Everest guiding industry to the geopolitical struggles that shape everyday life in Nepali society.

Photography was integral to this project, with the aim of capturing every aspect of the country, the unique textures of its landscape, and the reality of its circumstances. You can explore a few of my photographs below. To learn more about my research, you can take a look at my article The Dark Side of Everest.