When someone mentions the word “Nepal”, people conjure images of snowy peaks of the Himalayas. For most people, the word “Everest” slides into frame. If there is one reason to visit the country, it is to witness the landscape. Upon arriving at the capital city in 2019, most if not all of the passenger’s luggage were trekking packs. Everyone in town seems to be preparing for one thing: the outdoors and what it has to offer. Although the country attracts low-budget backpackers and wealthy individuals who can afford to summit its holy peaks, the push for more economic strength in tourism may benefit those living below the poverty line, but fosters environmental impact in addition to the changing climate. The tourism industry in Nepal is weighted heavily on resources, and isolated villages highly depend on external supplies which can only be carried manually as other modes of transportation lack infrastructure or are too expensive. Supplies going up usually consist of building materials and food, where each package load weighs 25kg (+/-5). During the Annapurna trek, distances between villages can be as far apart as 8km to 12km, and elevation differences can be a hike of 500m and a few kilometers. Trails are hardly maintained and are never consistent; if you were to ask locals how flat a route will be, a popular answer returned is a common saying: “nepali-flat” (minimum 35⁰ slope). Due to the lack of infrastructure connecting isolated areas, the Nepali government has even designated a separate budget for suspension bridges. These bridges help trekkers and locals avoid climbing the steep valleys and can condense around 4 hours of hiking into 30 minutes. As the world becomes more globalized, more people will be able to explore the Himalayas; as locations become more accessible, the country will be required to sustain the increase in traffic. The importance of infrastructure has already become more prevalent as climate change creates an environment for disturbances to increase in intensity. Places like Annapurna Base Camp will become more susceptible to avalanches as areas of higher elevation warm drastically throughout the day. Lower elevation hill-slopes become more susceptible to landslides: areas that are difficult to traverse, fuel tanks become a commodity and locals are required to collect firewood, which loosens the soil if trees are uprooted (which they are in most cases). Climate change also increases the intensity and duration of the monsoon rain which washes away the loose top soil, which then promotes landslides and increases deforestation (lucky we traveled a few weeks before the rainy season). Meteorological changes are not the only impact that affect the local’s socio-economic infrastructure. Disposable plastics are still common even in remote places such as areas in the high mountains. Although it is educated among everyone that the land should be kept clean, there are still consumables that are offered such as candy bars, pop cans, and other food wrapped in plastic. Although tea, coffee, and other homemade snacks are offered, I still see many who purchase commercially wrapped food. Climate change will continue to change the landscape as developing countries such as Nepal become more industrial and continue to push its energy and economic boundaries. On the micro scale, by being more conscious of our actions abroad, we can create positive impacts that support the local environment and its people. When traveling abroad, it is good to be reminded of ethical tourism, that we travel in a shared location and we should treat the land and everyone within it with respect. Few of many possibilities include supporting local guesthouses and purchasing their crafts, picking up after yourselves and others who aren’t as caring as they should be, and tipping guides and porters well since their currency value is weaker than those of foreigners who can afford to travel. Nepal is a country that is famous for its landscape and culture, and as travelers, we should maintain our integrity to travel in a sustainable way so that others can experience the same euphoria of being able to hike the Himalayas. If you can afford to travel the world, you can also afford to lend a hand.