Current Expeditions - 2009 and 2010

Grand Canyon 2010

The Grand Canyon - by no means a small feat of nature, will host another expedition for YSES in 2010 to follow in the footsteps of many who have gone before…

The expedition party will be split into three teams for the first trekking phase. This will take the teams down from the Canyon Rim to the Colorado River over an eleven day period. Expeditioners need to be fit, healthy and ready for the challenges on this breath taking experience of a lifetime. The teams link with the National Park to complete survey and project work that has been instigated by past expeditions. The wilderness trekking requires teams to be self sufficient with their food and water. Temperatures in the canyon itself can soar to over 50 deg Celcius! Although technically a desert environment, there is a bounty of flora and fauna to be seen, with remarkable sunsets, and spectacular thunderstorms.

Having been comprehensively briefed and kitted up, the team then heads to Lees Ferry for an awesome eleven day descent of the Colorado by oar raft. Supported by experienced raft guides, we follow the historic trip down through the geological eras. With a trip planned every day up side canyons, caves and to enormous waterfalls, the stories will be told for many years to come of trepidation, wonder and bravery. We will see the settlements of Anasazi indians as our journey follows the red rivers course, all to the sound of the canyon wren. The cost of this trip will be in the region of £3600 for a months trip, exclusive of flights, but including transfers to Grand Canyon village, food, rafting kit and staff.

There will be plenty of support to raise funds, and we are planning to have some skills training, orientation and familiarisation weekends in 2009 to prepare the intrepid team.

Expedition Leaders - Andie Brazewell and Allie Goodwill

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Sinai 2010

A three week expedition on the Sinai Peninsular and based at Dahab. 10 days in the desert and five days scuba diving enabling all students to qualify for the PADI Open Water Diver qualification. If expeditioners already have a basic diving qualification they will be able to take more advanced or specialist qualifications, diving in the Red Sea. The desert trip will involve travelling by camel, wearing traditional Bedouin clothing and sleeping in the desert or in Bedouin villages.

Open to all young people aged between 14 – 19 years of age. We will make every effort to accommodate expeditioners with Special Needs. Accomodation for the diving and at all other times except the desert will be in the Bedouin Moon Hotel situated on the shores of the Red Sea over looking Saudi Arabia. There will be opportunities to visit the village of Dahab and to sample the bedoiun lifestyle.

At the end of the expedition there will be an early morning trip to St Catherine’s Monastery to see the sun rise over Mount Sinai.

Expedition Leaders - Paul McGreavy and Martin Wilkinson

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Isle of Skye 2010

A three week expedition to circumnavigate the Isle of Skye by trapper boat.

Open to all young people aged between 14 – 19 years of age. We will make every effort to accommodate expeditioners with Special Needs. Accomodation for the expedition duration will be in teepee.

An opportunity to capture the wildlife and sealife of this amazing part of Scotland.

Expedition Leader - Christine Wilson

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Kenya 2009

Kenya 2009 In 2009 Yorkshire Schools Exploring Society will be taking the latest in its series of 5 week expeditions to Kenya during the school summer holidays. (Late July and August) The expedition will lake the same format as in the past with members being split into teams of 10 to 12 members with a male and female leader per team, a field work leader and a Medic plus, for part of the time, some young Kenyan members. The expedition will spend the first 10 or 12 days working on field projects on the Indian Ocean coast (in the past we have carried oul elephant and other animal surveys, underwater survey of the reef, and project work in a coastal village). For this part of the expedition all members will have the chance, we hope, of doing the overnight train journey from Nairobi to Mombassa on the coast (One of the great Railway journeys of the world).

The second part of the expedition will be a camel trek through the African bush in the semi desert area of the north of the country, camping out under the stars and cooking on open fires. You will walk about 7 to 10 miles each day with the camels carrying all your equipment and kit. After the camel trek you will return to Nairobi and then have a visit to one of the world famous Game Parks for three days. The last three days will be spent sight seeing and shopping in Nairobi with a last night’s meal at the famous Carnivore Restauranl before flying home. When you are not in the field you will be staying at a school in the suburbs of Nairobi, which has full security in its grounds. There will be two training weekends in Yorkshire plus at least one parent’s evening before you leave.

The cost will be in the region of £1500 to £1900 plus your airfares and this will include everything from leaving the UK to arriving back ie. Accommodation, food, group equipment, insurance, local guides, transport, entry to game parks etc. The final cost will be known by autumn 2008 and fund raising help will be given. This expedition is always a popular one so early application is advisable.

If you would like to apply, download an application form and return it to the YSES office.

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