Nepali mountain professional Jagan Timilsina, General Member of the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), received the 2026 NOLS Alaska Merit Award on recent years, recognizing the individual’s years of dedication to mountain guiding, outdoor education and wilderness leadership to the adventure tourism sector. The award highlights the individual’s contribution from Nepal’s trekking industry to the international outdoor education community.
Trekking porter to international outdoor educator
Jagan Timilsina’s career in the mountains started in 1998, entering Nepal’s trekking industry as a young porter before progressively building up his mountain experience and expertise to become an assistant guide, trekking guide, climbing guide, outdoor instructor and tourism interpreter. The professional has been able to develop his skills working within Nepal’s diverse mountainous regions where technical knowledge, leadership, safety and adaptability skills are needed in order to work in the challenging outdoors environment.
According to the Nepal Mountaineering Association, the individual’s professional journey demonstrates the learning and experience gained in the mountains through decades of work in this sector. In his own career, Jagan Timilsina has demonstrated the different roles available to those entering Nepal’s mountain tourism sector and the knowledge and experience gained through working in the outdoors.
Decade of contributing to NOLS Alaska
Jagan Timilsina joined NOLS in 2016, starting a new phase of his professional journey as he brought his experience and knowledge from Nepal’s mountains to the international outdoor education arena. The individual has worked as an instructor for the organization helping to teach wilderness leadership and wilderness training courses, sharing his knowledge and experience of the outdoors.
According to the award letter, NOLS Alaska 2026 season saw hundreds of students and instructors involved in dozens of expeditions, highlighting the importance of individuals such as Jagan Timilsina who contribute their insight and experience to support the professional growth, learning and development of the next generation of outdoor professionals.
Award recognizes knowledge, professionalism and leadership
The 2026 NOLS Alaska Merit award not only recognizes an individual’s achievements but also serves to highlight the expertise and professionalism of Nepali mountain professionals who contribute their time and experience to promote and educate others on the outdoors. Through his work, Jagan Timilsina has demonstrated how the insight of Nepali trekking and mountain guides can go far beyond their local tourism sector, reaching into international organizations and contributing to their programs.
The professional has demonstrated that through the combination of experience and outdoor knowledge, coupled with international education programs, mountain professionals can share their insight on the outdoors with those hoping to learn from them. By working as a mentor, Timilsina has been able to pass on his own experience and knowledge of the outdoors, supporting and guiding the next generation of Nepali mountaineers, outdoor instructors, wilderness guides and trekking guides.
A proud moment for Nepal’s mountain tourism community
The Nepal Mountaineering Association has congratulated Jagan Timilsina on the achievement, describing the award as a proud moment for the individual and the wider mountain community. As an NMA General Member (Membership Card No. 3760), the individual’s recognition has added to the number of Nepalis making an impact within the international mountain and outdoor sector.
Jagan Timilsina’s journey from being a young trekking porter in Nepal to an international outdoor instructor demonstrates the opportunities that can come with the continuous learning and development of mountain professionals. The individual has demonstrated that experience and knowledge of the outdoors can be shared with others, supporting them in learning and developing their own outdoor skills, leadership, safety and wilderness survival capabilities.
For Nepal’s tourism and mountain sectors, the award highlights the opportunities for Nepali mountain professionals to share their expertise and contribute to the education of others, both locally and internationally. The NMA wishes Timilsina continued success on his path as an outdoor instructor, mentor and leader of the next generation of Nepali mountain professionals.
