Himalayan communities stand precariously in an era of phenomenological uncertainty. Climate
change is merely a lens through which we may observe and begin to understand such localized
modern complexities. The people of the Tarap Valley in Dolpo, Nepal have experienced an
increase in avalanches, snow leopard attacks and unpredictable precipitation patterns in recent
years. In upper Mustang, Nepal, people have endured the harshest winter in generations and
suffered from reduced water access. Environmental, climatic and weather related changes in both
Himalayan districts have severely impacted traditional livelihoods and led some to adopt modern
means of adaptation. Despite the scientific evidence suggesting anthropogenic climate change is
the culprit, local perceptions of these shifts are widely based on religious, astrological and
traditional understandings. Himalayan communities are among the most impacted by climatic
variability, and according to scientists, the changes will only become more drastic. The
geographical remoteness of many Himalayan communities exemplifies the disconnect between
the modern, international academic understanding of climate change and the confusing reality of
the lived experience of climate change. This paper aims to provide a voice to some of the
voiceless victims of climate change in the Himalayan communities of Nepal. By understanding
the changes, impacts, adaptation methods and perceptions in two communities, practical
solutions can be enacted.