Expeditions

Tibet 2007

This information is also available as a PDF

The expedition group will enter Tibet from western China after having spent a few days in Pakistan. We will travel eastwards across the Tibetan Plateau with the Karakoram and Himalayan Mountain ranges to our south. In western Tibet we will undertake two major treks. Firstly, trekking on the shores of Lake Manasarovar, sacred to Buddhists and Hindus.

On to Mount Kailash, where we will complete the 53km pilgrimage circuit or kora of the 6714 metre peak. We will walk in a clockwise direction and climb to an altitude of 5600m at the Dromla La Pass. Having completed the Kora, (which is said to erase the sins of a lifetime!), we hope to continue to Lhasa, the Tibetan capital city, before leaving Tibet for home.

This expedition will cost in the region of £2500 plus air fares.

Active weblog for this expedition can be viewed here.

Chief Leader - Paul McGreavy

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Mongolia 2008

This information is also available as a PDF

A great opportunity to go horse back riding on the great Steppe Plain. Flying in to Ulaan Baataar (UB), we will be spending a couple of days to acclimatise before heading overland to the Terelj National Park.

Here we will be trekking and horse riding with a teenage group from an orphanage. Over the six day trek, we can do a variety of activities with the orphans including climbing, archery and canoeing.

After stocking up on essentials in UB again, we will prepare for a impressive 3 day overland journey through the Steppe to the Northern region of Khovsgol. This is mountain and lake country, ideal for a horse back trekking, hiking and canoeing journey.

We will be camping with traditional herdsmen who will share their skill of living with the land. The area is an important migration route for many birds from Siberia.

Throughout the journey we will take in opportunities to further explore the magic of this region and potentially climb some of the local peaks.

We will take an internal flight back to UB where we will connect with the Trans Siberia railway to take us to Beijing before returning to the UK.

For a more detailed itinerary - view the PDF version of this exciting expedition.

The price of this expedition will be in the region of £1500 excluding external flights (approx £800).

Chief Leaders - Andie Brazewell

and Paul McGreavy

 

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Alaska 2008

This information is also available as a PDF

"WHY NOT SPEND NEXT SUMMER IN THE ALASKAN WILDERNESS?"

Calling all fit, healthy, adventurous young people, aged 16 -19 in the summer of 2008. Are you reasonably proficient in the out-of-doors? Are you a fieldwork enthusiast or concerned with environmental matters? Perhaps you have (or potentially have) a Duke of Edinburgh's Award (or equivalent)? Do you want to do something exciting in the long (boring?) summer holiday?

If so, then why not come to Alaska with like-minded others … it can be a life-enhancing experience! Alaska is dramatic, huge and challenging. Wonderful scenery is the norm and is everywhere around - mountains, glaciers, vast forests and rushing rivers. Wildlife is special, maybe you will spot Grizzly Bear, Bald Eagle, King Salmon, Porcupine, or Moose (plus Mosquitoes of course!). So there will be much to see and to do …it will not be uneventful!

The expedition will have a preparation phase in Yorkshire as well as training in Alaska, with a challenging three / four weeks in the field, and a final reporting period. Although there will be a basic itinerary and activity menu, which will include fixed points, the expedition as a whole will agree the rest! As far as possible, you will have a major part to play in the planning, for example, deciding exactly where to go, what food to buy, and what activities to undertake. Everything chosen will of course have to be within budget constraints, follow strict safety guidelines, and use the leader team's experience and qualification.

The expedition will aim to include at least four different activities, for example, hiking and conservation work in an Alaskan State Park, wilderness river rafting, scientific fieldwork and hiking a historic trail in another, glacier walking and lots of backpacking in a third area, maybe also sea kayaking, Canadian canoeing and mountain biking. Incidentally, the expedition will qualify for both the expedition and residential sections of the gold level DoE Award. The expedition will arrive in Anchorage, stay a while in this typical North American city to purchase supplies and to become acclimatised and accustomed to the "Alaskan Way". 'Bus and rail transport will be used to get to start points but thereafter foot will be the method of travel in the Wilderness. The expedition will return to Anchorage ready for the long flight home, with new life-long friends and brimful of experiences and memories.

Cost (in the region of) £1950 (inclusive of food / activities / in-country travel / insurance) plus air flight costs (approximately £950).

Tony Whiting, the Chief Leader, has recently organised three large national youth expeditions to Alaska. He plans to leave the UK in late July 2008 with up to 40 young expeditioners and a leader team of eight, and spend three to four adventurous weeks in the field. Tony, a former residential study centre head teacher, is willing to visit your school to talk more about the expedition if there is a potential group of participants of sufficient size; if so please contact the YSES Office. (Adults with enough suitable experience to act as a leader are encouraged to contact Tony via the office).

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Ireland, 2008
India, 2008
Kenya, 2009
Grand Canyon, 2010

Come back soon for more information . . .