What are the WHATT 2025 (Female Trekking Guide) graduates up to?
What is WHATT?
The full form of the acronym is Women’s High Altitude Trekking Training Program. This training program conducted by 3 Summits For Nepal – Crystal Mountain Trek’s giving arm – gives female guides who have recently received their trekking guide license (but have none or very little on-the-job experience) training on the practical aspects of guiding. WHATT, started in 2022, has trained 45 female guides so far. Check out video of the 2025 WHATT program:
Below are thoughts of some of the graduates of the WHATT 2025 program (January 2025) and what have they been doing this year:
RUPA PANDEY
After the WHATT training program earlier this year, I lead treks to Pikey Peak, Annapurna Base Camp and Langtang Trek after WHATT.
After WHATT, when I lead treks I realise my briefing has improved and I have started to do reflections with my guest and my team members which helps all of us to identify any problem or issues happening around us. My decision-making capabilities has improved. During any crisis or problems, I have started to do problem analysis and find a solution instead of getting stressed and anxious.
I am being more aware about how we can provide less impact in the nature and surroundings. I am more respectful to my co-workers and all tourism stakeholders.
My map reading skill has upgraded; now I am able to find the direction and routes with the help of map and compass. I am prepared to respond to any high altitude sickness that can occur in my group or even other trekkers .
KESHIKA RAI:
Before the WHATT training I didn’t know how to properly communicate with clients. I lacked confidence in myself. After the training program I have learned practical communication skills and how to carry myself with more confidence. This has helped me guide treks more effectively and connect better with clients.
SANJU THAPA
Here’s a list of the treks I’ve completed this year along with a short reflection on how the WHATT (Women High Altitude Trekking Training) program has impacted me:
Treks Completed in 2025:
- Everest Base Camp (EBC)
- Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek (KBC)
- Annapurna Base Camp (ABC)
- Mardi Himal Trek
- Tilicho Lake
- Langtang Valley Trek
- Ghorepani-Poon Hill
- Annapurna Circuit Trek
- Gosaikunda Trek
- Ghale Gaun – Bhujung Trek
- Pikey Peak Trek
WHATT Program Impact:
Through the WHATT program, I gained invaluable skills that helped me grow both personally and professionally. I learned outdoor leadership, team management, and communication, which allowed me to confidently lead and support diverse groups during treks. The program also taught me map reading and navigation, judgment and decision-making, and risk/conflict management, which were essential on remote and challenging trails like Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek and Tilicho.
Additionally, I learned back-country skills, ration planning, camping techniques, and wilderness medicine/first aid, which made me more self-reliant and prepared in all situations. The Leave No Trace (LNT) principles and lessons on climate change deepened my commitment to responsible tourism and environmental care. Thanks to WHATT, I feel empowered and capable as a trekking guide, and I’m proud to represent women in high-altitude trekking.
PHURA YANGZI SHERPA
WHATT has helped me a lot in guiding a large number of clients in an easier and confident way. I use my leadership skills in different ways according to situations which make my trek more effective and successful. The program was excellent for beginner guides like us🙏
BRIK MAYA GURUNG
The skills and knowledge I’ve learned from WHATT have helped me a lot in making better decisions. This includes while managing conflicts within the team, providing information about the geography, and assisting in cases of injury and altitude sickness. WHATT has also helped me become a more confident leader while guiding my clients. Many thanks to 3 Summits for Nepal. I look forward to participating in more valuable training sessions like this in the future.
KAMALA TAMANG
Namaste! My name is Kamala Syangdan from Sindhupalchok. I have been working as a female trekking guide since 2017, leading treks across Nepal. Before participating in the Women’s High Altitude Trekking Training (WHATT) program, I occasionally faced challenges on the trail and lacked the knowledge to address them effectively.
The WHATT training has been transformative for my professional development. It has equipped me with the skills and confidence to handle various situations smoothly. This year, I led two treks after completing the training:
1. A climb to Lobuche Peak, which we had to cut short at Gokyo due to a client’s illness.
2. A trek to Tilicho Lake.
In both instances, the knowledge and techniques I acquired from the WHATT program proved invaluable. As a female guide, I now feel more prepared to tackle the unique challenges we sometimes face in this profession.
I am deeply grateful to the organizers of the WHATT training for empowering women like me in the trekking industry. Thank you for your support and commitment to our growth.
SAMRIDDHI DHAKAL
Samriddhi this side, one of the participants of WHATT my hand got fractured in end of March while going for a camping with one of the travel company. So, i had to cancel the trek and tour that came along. So, I haven’t done any treks after the training.
However, I got an opportunity to lead a hike around kathmandu valley before the accident. I use to start the briefing with information giving details about the places we are going major sightseeing, explaining the principles of leave no trace, direction , elevation. During the hike i ask my assistant guide to be in communicative distance which helps me to understand the need requirements of the participants. I make sure nobody walks ahead of the guide and lead the hike in comfortable pace as per the requirement. After lunch I give details about other half and time duration we are going to reach.
Treks I had to cancel were – Langtang, Annapurna Base Camp, Ama Yangri and also 7 day sightseeing in Kathmandu valley.
SURUCHI RAI
This Spring I started from late February, from the very short
1) Ghorepani -Poonhill
• 3pax family group, newly introduced to outdoor trekking in high hills
Learning used ➡️ constantly in touch through text, about the proper and minimal backpacking for 3day trek.
➡️Trail etiquettes
2) Langtang Valley Trek- 7 pax(2nd pic)
• A group of Nepali Women with some experienced & new trekkers, varied age (25-46)
➡️ An overview briefing about the trek and letting the participants know each other before trekking.
➡️the slow and fast pacer and maintaining accordingly
➡️ Every evening briefing about following day important highlights, possible weather, trail conditions, cultural experience.
➡️ Everyday getting feedback about the day, difficulty and challenges that can be improved in the coming days.
➡️ Sharing the importance of Leave No Trace principle in wilderness every evening.
➡️Motivating while they feel demotivated and letting know about AMS and how it can be prevented from the beginning.
3) Manaslu & Annapurna Circuit ~24days ,4 pax(35-53) age
➡️ Do’s and dont’s reminder while exploring socio-cultural experiences like taking consent while taking local pics.
➡ Frequently reminding to take gentle start of pace and progressing later, by taking time and being steady.
➡️ Encouraging guests to start early and finish early in order to prevent high wind utilizing daylight travel.
➡️ Layering ideas
➡️ Mountain nutrition ideas on carb/fat/protein
➡️Waste management and minimal general sharing
➡️Cultural values and lifestyle of particular place perspective sharing.
TSELHA
I go by the name Tselha and i am from Dho Tarap, a small village in Dolpa. I am 27 which I thought was too old to be starting a new career. Long story short, right after getting my trekking guide license, I fortunately got the opportunity to participate in Women’s High Altitude Trekking Guide Training organized by 3 summits for Nepal. It is a 15 days of intensive training up in the mountains of Lantang. Since I grew up there in the mountains working in fields and crossing multiple passes every other week,I didn’t think it would be a problem for me to be a trekking guide. I didn’t realize there were technicality involved while working as a trekking guide. It was WHATT that equipped me and made it possible to work and guide efficiently.
Yhe training taught us how to deal with clients, leadership skills, basic first aid skills, map and navigation skills, backpacking, briefing skills and lot more in depth. If it wasn’t for WHAT Training, I can vouch that I wouldn’t have been able to properly lead treks and work as a trekking guide.
This season I led two treks. One to Phoksumdo, Dolpo and the other to Upper Mustang. I use all the skills and knowledges I have learned from the training even in my daily life. I’d like to take opportunity to also thank 3 Summits For Nepal for giving me the opportunity to participate in WHATT and also our two very awesome instructors.
TRAIL RUNNING WITH ANITA RAI
Our first WHATT program in 2022 included 5 trainees who were trail running guides. Anita Rai, a champion ultra runner, was one of the trainees. Crystal Mountain Treks was able to put together a trail running trip lead by Anita Rai in March 2025 – Ultimate Everest Run.
