Repairing the Yullajung Pedestrian Suspension Bridge: Service Learning in the Nepal Himalaya

This project could not have been completed without the hard work and dedication of numerous individuals. Our incredible guides, Kami Temba Sherpa, Mingma Temba Sherpa and Mingma Rita Sherpa, shepherded us up and down the trails and impressed us with their humor, compassion, work ethic, and ability to walk endlessly with pace and significant loads while maintaining a smile. We offer special thanks to our lead guide, Kami Temba Sherpa, who also facilitated food and lodging along the trail, and four yaks to transport our equipment. Board members of the Thame Sherpa Heritage Fund provided support for our team while in Nepal. Dr. Lhakpa Sherpa facilitated discussion with the Nepal Trail Bridge Program and Dr. Kami Temba Sherpa hosted our team in Thame and provided medical advice when needed. Jiban Ghimire of Shangri-La Nepal Trek facilitated air travel between Lukla and Kathmandu. Travel costs for a large portion of our team were supported by the Merrimack College School of Science & Engineering and the Merrimack College ASCE-Student Chapter. We offer sincere thanks to the undergraduate students (Giovanna Dowell, Sophia Dowell, Peter Foltz, Sean Krause, Brad Picard, and Leyna Tobey) who surveyed the bridge site and performed much of the physical labor. Last, but by no means least, we thank the soldiers at the Nepal army outpost in Thameteng for a full day of hard work positioning large stones and tightening the main cables and the Yullajung community for trusting us with your bridge and allowing us the opportunity to work with you and for inviting us into your homes for some of the best tea we have ever enjoyed.