Across The Atlas

Our mission

The Across the Atlas team is dedicated to the support of non-profit organizations. The team supports these organizations with substantial monetary donations, raised through adventure expeditions that span the globe.

The Forbidden KINGDOM EXPEDITION
May 2023

A Humanitarian Expedition in the Upper Mustang, Nepal A team of Italian and American adventurers will venture to parts of undiscovered Upper Mustang, Nepal, to explore some of the most remote areas of this fascinating old Kingdom. The highly skilled and dedicated team will aid populations that have not received support in ages, if ever.

Travel with purpose - our objectives

Study Buddhist philosophy under a spiritual lama and translator, gleaning insight provide into the local culture and customs.
Utilize yaks, and employee local porters, to carry the supplies, medicines and medical equipment, to be distributed to the local population.
Engage with Khampa warriors, the legendary bodyguards of the Dalai Lama, learning antique horsemanship and archery dating back to the 17th century.
Tour the Sky Caves, rich in history and the origin of many legends.
Spend valuable time with local yak herders, learning their way of life, including bartering cheese and butter, sharing, yurts, and feasting on local cuisine.
Stay three days at the Lomanthang Monastery, sharing in daily activities with the monks, and learning from their teachings, e.g., witness a Puja Ceremony (Blessing) performed by the abbot.
Request a visit with the Mustang King, Jegme Dorje Palbar Bista, and gain his
perspective on changes happening in his lands.
Weather permitting, close the expedition with an epic heli-ski run off the side of Annapurna.

NEEDS FOR NEPAL

In our mission of humanitarian aid we are seeking partners and donations.

The Sherpa community has advised us of particular items that are very useful in that part of the world.

Specifically, we are seeking socks, hats, footwear, sunglasses, sunscreen, water purification, and other garments, including but not limited to jackets, school supplies, etc.

Any items unsecured through donations alone will be purchased. If you would like to become a donor for a particular item or set of items, we are happy to purchase them under your name and recognize the donation in our forthcoming website, simply let us know, thank you.

Our EXPEDITION team

Pietro Simonetti

Skier & Mountaineer

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An experienced skier and mountaineer, Pietro has led multiple expeditions in some of the most inhospitable regions on planet Earth. He has lived, worked or explored over 80 countries throughout the world, adventure skiing in more than 40 of them. A graduate of University of Colorado’s School of Business, with an MBA from Regis University, Pietro is also the longtime President of the Colorado Cancer Foundation (CCF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping Colorado cancer patients, and raises funds for Cancer Research. In fact, most of Pietro’s expeditions have been fundraisers for the Colorado Cancer Foundation. Pietro currently lives in Boulder, CO with his wife and teenage daughter.

Tom Williams

Ice & Rock Climber

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Tom is a Colorado native, and a very strong ice and rock climber. Tom has many years of hiking and mountaineering around the top peaks of the world, and his high altitude knowledge will benefit the team while navigating through weather patterns and mix rock and ice situations. Tom currently resides in Eldorado Springs, Colorado with his girlfriend, Courtney.

Michele Dalla Palma

Master Photographer

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Professional journalist and photographer, mountaineering explorer and great traveler, he has carried out many expeditions to every continent and published more than 500 photoreportages from every corner of the planet, and about 20 books dedicated to photography and travel stories. Coordinator for Italy from 2018 to 2022 of the National Geographic Photography Expeditions project, he is Master Teacher at the Nikon School, and in 2017 one of his images was included among the 100 selected by Nikon, to celebrate its century of life, in the photobook "It's a Nikon, it's an Icon."

Kelly Myers

Physical Therapist & Rafting Guide

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Kelly is excited to share his Physical Therapy knowledge with the local Nepalese population, and will bring medical supplies to aid porters and people working strenuous jobs at high altitude, mitigating ailments. Kelly is also a river rafting guide and will oversee the crossing of the Kali Gandaki glacial river with chest deep water, as yaks carry the majority of the supplies and medical equipment. Kelly currently lives in Genesee, Colorado with his wife and three young kids.

Dr. Giovanni Turchi

Avid Mountaineer

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Giovanni is the former head of the Anesthesiology Department of the Ospedale Maggiore in Bologna, Italy. An avid mountaineer, Giovanni will run the unofficial clinics in the Upper Mustang. He will be busy as many of the people have not received any medical help in their lives. Giovanni feels very fortunate to be able to share his knowledge and skills with the local population who are in such dire needs.

Mirko Musacchi

Logistics Expert

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Mirko, who hails from Biella, Italy, spent years working for DHL and is an expert in logistics. He knows how to solve difficult cross-border situations, and will be the team’s specialist for moving supplies across international borders, including but not limited to medical equipment and medicines. Indeed, Mirko’s understanding of transportation paperwork and skills in relentless negotiations will prove invaluable on this trip. Mirko has two teenage kids in Italy.

Max Eckstein

Skier & Mountaineer

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Max, an avid skier and outdoor enthusiast, will lead the team off the slopes of Annapurna and, weather permitting, a heli-ski final epic run high in the Himalayas. Max’s knowledge of the outdoors will be crucial for the team’s safety while crossing difficult terrain in the upper Tibetan plateau. Max currently lives in Evergreen, Colorado with his wife and three children.

The upper mustang route in nepal

View the Forbidden Kingdom Humanitarian Expedition for the Across The Atlas Crew here in great topological detail.

MEET THE TEAM EVENTS

Meet the Across the Atlas Team and learn more about their Forbidden Kingdom Humanitarian expedition. Enjoy some brews and conversation, learn more and find out how you can help!