The mission of the Juniper Fund is to support and empower families and communities impacted by the loss of Himalayan high-altitude workers.

The Juniper Fund was started by mountaineers David Morton and Melissa Arnot Reid in order to address an unmet obligation they witnessed through their work as guides in the world's highest mountains. Our work is presently focused on Nepali workers involved with climbing and expedition support in the high mountains of Nepal.

While the mountain climbing and expedition industry employs countless local staff and laborers in order to help support the adventures many travelers seek, the reality is that some of these workers are injured or killed in the course of this work. Unfortunately, the local governments have inadequate systems for insuring against this in the event of tragedy, and many families are lost without a source of income.

History

In 2006…

David was working in Nepal as a guide for Alpine Ascents International when a serac collapse in the Khumbu icefall killed three Sherpas working on commercial Everest expeditions. One of those Sherpas was married to a woman who had worked numerous times for David on treks. She was 6 months pregnant. David and his wife volunteered to support that unborn child’s education.

In 2010…

Melissa was on an expedition with Chhewang Nima Sherpa, a legendary climbing Sherpa and friend, when he was killed after a cornice collapsed on the summit ridge of Baruntse. Melissa committed to helping his family with the resources she could provide.

From these personal experiences the idea of the Juniper Fund was born, formalizing a commitment to understand and improve the aftermath of tragedies in the Himalayan expedition industry.

The Juniper Fund is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit.

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