Hello everyone!
I won't write all about the trek as it will take too long!
It was the most amazing 12 days ever.
We all survived the high passes, dealt with altitude sickness, delhi belly and whatever was thrown at us.
We are the first team so far this summer to have successfully completed the Markha Valley trek. HOW GOOD IS THAT!!
I am so proud of the Challengers they have shown true grit, commitment and enthusiasm even when the going was tough. I think it's probably the most amazing challenge i have undertaken and i feel so humbled to have shared it with the students from The Hermitage. They are a FANTASTIC group of young people and i know they are looking forward to sharing their news with you in september.
It is now Saturday and we have spent the last 2 days travelling from Leh through the Great Himalaya Mountain Range down to Manali by coach. The journey was the longest ever and we were so pleased when we arrived this afternoon.The road if you can call it that, took us over the highest motorable road in the world, through a dessert, through streams, waterfalls and mud slopes. I think every bone is our bodies felt the wrath of that journey!! All part of the experience though.
Manali is chaotic, smelly and a hive of activity for hippies!We are here for 2 nights. Thats all for now, meeting up for some food with the team soon.
More news later.
Saturday, 30 July 2011
Saturday, 16 July 2011
Acclimatisation phase begins
Saturday afternoon and we have completed two practice treks and survived!
Early start yesterday morning and began our trek just after 7.30 am before the heat of the day kicked in.We climbed up to Leh Palace winding our way through the streets and heading out towards the accent path. It was fairly steep all the way up and the views were stunning, Himalayas one side and the Caracorum (not sure if that's the correct spelling-sorry)mountains on the other side.Loads of colourful prayer flags fluttering in the wind and the sounds of the religious music(Fri is the sabboth day) travelling up to the tops of the mountains. We have to pinch ourselves to remind us that we are in India!Wierd feeling.
We were all breathing fast and could feel the effects of the altitude. Different challengers took turns in leading the group and we zig zagged up, using ropes to cross ridges and where challengers felt vulnerable. From the palace we continued up to one of the stupas, here you could see into the next valley and across towards the river indus. Lots of group photos to mark the occasion. Lunch on the top and then the decent down which was even harder on the kness!
We arrived back at the REWA centre early afternoon, packed up our tents & sacks and headed back to the Oriental Guest House for the next 3 days. This was a bonus, real beds and proper showers, whoop whoop, we couldn't wait!
Today was very similar to yesterday but we trekked up the river bed and round to another stupa. Both days we have trekked to just under 4000meters. Fantastic achievement and all challengers are embracing everything which is thrown at them. They have amazed me and I feel very privileged and proud to be given this opportunity too.
Tomorrow we have been invited to the REWA picnic for over 100 children, carers and their families. It's another early start as we have to be at the centre for 6.45am!We also have to prepare a puppet show and group dance! Ha ha how good!
Not sure if I'll be able to blog again until after the 12 day trek which begins on Monday. I wish Hermitage staff all the best for the last 4 days of term and hope everyone has a brilliant summer break.
The challengers are looking forward to sharing all their stories with you in the new term.
Will blog after the trek; we are really looking forward to it but also with some anticipation!
Early start yesterday morning and began our trek just after 7.30 am before the heat of the day kicked in.We climbed up to Leh Palace winding our way through the streets and heading out towards the accent path. It was fairly steep all the way up and the views were stunning, Himalayas one side and the Caracorum (not sure if that's the correct spelling-sorry)mountains on the other side.Loads of colourful prayer flags fluttering in the wind and the sounds of the religious music(Fri is the sabboth day) travelling up to the tops of the mountains. We have to pinch ourselves to remind us that we are in India!Wierd feeling.
We were all breathing fast and could feel the effects of the altitude. Different challengers took turns in leading the group and we zig zagged up, using ropes to cross ridges and where challengers felt vulnerable. From the palace we continued up to one of the stupas, here you could see into the next valley and across towards the river indus. Lots of group photos to mark the occasion. Lunch on the top and then the decent down which was even harder on the kness!
We arrived back at the REWA centre early afternoon, packed up our tents & sacks and headed back to the Oriental Guest House for the next 3 days. This was a bonus, real beds and proper showers, whoop whoop, we couldn't wait!
Today was very similar to yesterday but we trekked up the river bed and round to another stupa. Both days we have trekked to just under 4000meters. Fantastic achievement and all challengers are embracing everything which is thrown at them. They have amazed me and I feel very privileged and proud to be given this opportunity too.
Tomorrow we have been invited to the REWA picnic for over 100 children, carers and their families. It's another early start as we have to be at the centre for 6.45am!We also have to prepare a puppet show and group dance! Ha ha how good!
Not sure if I'll be able to blog again until after the 12 day trek which begins on Monday. I wish Hermitage staff all the best for the last 4 days of term and hope everyone has a brilliant summer break.
The challengers are looking forward to sharing all their stories with you in the new term.
Will blog after the trek; we are really looking forward to it but also with some anticipation!
Thursday, 14 July 2011
Project Phase-mission accomplished!
'Jollay' today, we have all finished our tasks liked to the REWA project. It's a lovely feeling and we are so proud of all the Challengers who have worked relentlessly to get everything finished on time.
The outside wall of the REWA centre looks amazing. The picture painted represents the hope the centre gives to the disabled children. The Challengers also put on a puppet show for the children and carers this morning. The last two days have seen lots of developments, brightly painted stones in the play area outside, a huge smiley face on a rock and butterflies hanging from a playground frame as well as tidying up the grounds.
Meanwhile at the old lady's house (whose name sounds like Grandpa)we have totally cleaned it out with bleach, painted the walls turquoise and white, passage way from the front door cleared out (all animal poo and goodness what!)Everywhere is so dusty dry and sandy, we have to wear bandanas over our faces to protect us and the heat is intense. We have also painted around her front door. Today, we put the finishing touches to the paint and put underlay and carpet down (Gerry you would be well impressed with the work we've done out here) and we also hung material on her ceiling to brighten it all up.
While all this tidy up has taken place 'Grandpa' has been sleeping outside under the shelter we put up, on her new mattress, blankets & pillow we bought. Our interpreter said she was very happy with her new looking house and would miss us all tomorrow. Bless her, she is a remarkable woman.We are humbled by this experience, that someone would allow us into their home and delve into their personal possessions and have faith that we would improve their living conditions!
If we can upload photos we will soon.
This is the end of our project phase and start acclimatisation phase tomorrow in preparation for the trek on Monday. We are still based on the REWA site and will have several treks of varying length over the next three days.
All is well out here, we are enjoying the veggie food, we have our cook, assistant and sherpas on site. They are looking after us really well.
We are getting used to icy cold, stand up bucket showers, it's amazing how we are all adapting to our new surroundings.
Its 6.20pm here, so heading back to the camp for our dinner. All the Challengers say hello to their families and friends. Please pass on our news to everyone.
The outside wall of the REWA centre looks amazing. The picture painted represents the hope the centre gives to the disabled children. The Challengers also put on a puppet show for the children and carers this morning. The last two days have seen lots of developments, brightly painted stones in the play area outside, a huge smiley face on a rock and butterflies hanging from a playground frame as well as tidying up the grounds.
Meanwhile at the old lady's house (whose name sounds like Grandpa)we have totally cleaned it out with bleach, painted the walls turquoise and white, passage way from the front door cleared out (all animal poo and goodness what!)Everywhere is so dusty dry and sandy, we have to wear bandanas over our faces to protect us and the heat is intense. We have also painted around her front door. Today, we put the finishing touches to the paint and put underlay and carpet down (Gerry you would be well impressed with the work we've done out here) and we also hung material on her ceiling to brighten it all up.
While all this tidy up has taken place 'Grandpa' has been sleeping outside under the shelter we put up, on her new mattress, blankets & pillow we bought. Our interpreter said she was very happy with her new looking house and would miss us all tomorrow. Bless her, she is a remarkable woman.We are humbled by this experience, that someone would allow us into their home and delve into their personal possessions and have faith that we would improve their living conditions!
If we can upload photos we will soon.
This is the end of our project phase and start acclimatisation phase tomorrow in preparation for the trek on Monday. We are still based on the REWA site and will have several treks of varying length over the next three days.
All is well out here, we are enjoying the veggie food, we have our cook, assistant and sherpas on site. They are looking after us really well.
We are getting used to icy cold, stand up bucket showers, it's amazing how we are all adapting to our new surroundings.
Its 6.20pm here, so heading back to the camp for our dinner. All the Challengers say hello to their families and friends. Please pass on our news to everyone.
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
Leh the land of the moon!
Hello everyone :)
This is the most amazing place, lovely calm people, breathtaking views and gorgeous children with happy smiling faces.
We arrived in Leh safely and immediately noticed the the thin air and were gasping for breath as we came off the plane!the flight up to Leh took just under the hour and the flight path took us over the snow covered Himalayan range.The air strip was in the valley between the mountains, looked like the wings of the plane would hit the mountains!!
We were met by Dawa our in country agent, it was burning hot outside. Once we'd cleared customs (incidentally one of the rucksacks belonging to the Durham student didn't turn up!)we were taken to Dawa's guest house which was nestled in the mountains just 10 mins away. We were greeted warmly and given silk scarves to welcome us to Leh.The Guest house was for one night only so we made the most of the showers!! Our first day here was mostly relaxing as each time we moved we were out of breath and dizzy with the altitude- a really wierd feeling! But one we are getting used to and adapting to our new surroundings.
The remainder of this day involved appointing a new leader, planning our transport for after the expedition, places to visit in the R & R phase, and accommodation. Some of us also went to visit the Rewa project and meet up with the Director Mr David and his assistant Dalkar while the rest of the group explored the local market in Leh. The Rewa project is a very happy place with a lot of good work going on.
We discussed what we would be doing: Half the group improving the grounds and brightening it up & interacting with the children, whilst the other half took on improving the hygene and living conditions for a 77 yr old lady. Everyone was really looking forward to this phase.
It is now Tuesday and we have achieved so much. We are now camping in the groungs of REWA and it is very basic- drop toilets and no running water! We have to carry water from the mountain stream running close by to get washed. It is so very hot and very dusty and sandy, we are constantly drinking to keep hydrated.
In the last two days the group are divided to focus on their mini projects. Yesterday (A holiday)was planning the wall design for the outside wall, listing the materials needed while the rest visited the 77yr old lady to look at what needed doing. I dont think anything could have prepared us for what we saw. She was living 25kms from Leh out in the country, unable to walk only crawl using her hands and side. her dwelling place wasa single room, no sanitation,where she slept, cooked and lived. It was so dirty we couldnt quite comprehend how anyone could exist in these conditions. it was heart breaking to put it mildly and sobering.
We came away totally shocked realising we had a massive jo on our hands, but also with hope in our hearts we could make a difference to someone's life.
I'll move on it sounds depressing but we are far from depressed honestly!
Today we have worked hard on the projets but also with the handicapped children,listening and learnigng all about them and joining in their activities. This is very rewarding.
Everything we took out with us was so well received and they are extremely grateful.
Thank you eveyone for your messages, lovely to hear from you.Please keep them coming. I t's sometimes hard to believe we are in India
This is the most amazing place, lovely calm people, breathtaking views and gorgeous children with happy smiling faces.
We arrived in Leh safely and immediately noticed the the thin air and were gasping for breath as we came off the plane!the flight up to Leh took just under the hour and the flight path took us over the snow covered Himalayan range.The air strip was in the valley between the mountains, looked like the wings of the plane would hit the mountains!!
We were met by Dawa our in country agent, it was burning hot outside. Once we'd cleared customs (incidentally one of the rucksacks belonging to the Durham student didn't turn up!)we were taken to Dawa's guest house which was nestled in the mountains just 10 mins away. We were greeted warmly and given silk scarves to welcome us to Leh.The Guest house was for one night only so we made the most of the showers!! Our first day here was mostly relaxing as each time we moved we were out of breath and dizzy with the altitude- a really wierd feeling! But one we are getting used to and adapting to our new surroundings.
The remainder of this day involved appointing a new leader, planning our transport for after the expedition, places to visit in the R & R phase, and accommodation. Some of us also went to visit the Rewa project and meet up with the Director Mr David and his assistant Dalkar while the rest of the group explored the local market in Leh. The Rewa project is a very happy place with a lot of good work going on.
We discussed what we would be doing: Half the group improving the grounds and brightening it up & interacting with the children, whilst the other half took on improving the hygene and living conditions for a 77 yr old lady. Everyone was really looking forward to this phase.
It is now Tuesday and we have achieved so much. We are now camping in the groungs of REWA and it is very basic- drop toilets and no running water! We have to carry water from the mountain stream running close by to get washed. It is so very hot and very dusty and sandy, we are constantly drinking to keep hydrated.
In the last two days the group are divided to focus on their mini projects. Yesterday (A holiday)was planning the wall design for the outside wall, listing the materials needed while the rest visited the 77yr old lady to look at what needed doing. I dont think anything could have prepared us for what we saw. She was living 25kms from Leh out in the country, unable to walk only crawl using her hands and side. her dwelling place wasa single room, no sanitation,where she slept, cooked and lived. It was so dirty we couldnt quite comprehend how anyone could exist in these conditions. it was heart breaking to put it mildly and sobering.
We came away totally shocked realising we had a massive jo on our hands, but also with hope in our hearts we could make a difference to someone's life.
I'll move on it sounds depressing but we are far from depressed honestly!
Today we have worked hard on the projets but also with the handicapped children,listening and learnigng all about them and joining in their activities. This is very rewarding.
Everything we took out with us was so well received and they are extremely grateful.
Thank you eveyone for your messages, lovely to hear from you.Please keep them coming. I t's sometimes hard to believe we are in India
Saturday, 9 July 2011
Challengers reach Delhi 9th July
Intrepid challengers made it to hot and humid Delhi this Saturday morning!
Our elected leader Dan Ball, successfully took care and led the Challengers from Durham to London, navigating the tube at rush hour to Heathrow & safely on to Delhi. Flights were on time and the aircraft was spacious enough for us to have a comfortable flight, indulging in indian cuisine if we so wished!
First impressions of Delhi- incredibly noisey, colourful, craziest drivers ever, 2 lanes of traffic, but what the heck lets overtake on the inside, outside and right down the middle with some weaving between tuktuks, rickshaws, cows and insane drivers on their phones! Journey from the airport was certainly entertaining!
Sadly much of what we have seen today is utter squalour, with so many people living & sleeping on the streets with dogs, mothers carrying babies following us & asking for money for milk & food. We stand out so much and draw attention without realising it. For the challengers it is a new experience and to be fair they have coped & dealt with the long journey, the heat, the change in food, language and this constant atmosphere of blaring car hornes really well.
We have just finished our meal tonight and we have taken the first of our Diamox tablets for the altitude tomorrow. we are all pretty tired, but what a brilliant start to the Expedition!
We have an early start in the morning, up at 5.00am ready for our flight up to Leh. We are looking forward to it, hopefully quieter and calmer!
Thank you everyone for giving us such a good send off on friday, you are all very thoughtful and supportive.
Our elected leader Dan Ball, successfully took care and led the Challengers from Durham to London, navigating the tube at rush hour to Heathrow & safely on to Delhi. Flights were on time and the aircraft was spacious enough for us to have a comfortable flight, indulging in indian cuisine if we so wished!
First impressions of Delhi- incredibly noisey, colourful, craziest drivers ever, 2 lanes of traffic, but what the heck lets overtake on the inside, outside and right down the middle with some weaving between tuktuks, rickshaws, cows and insane drivers on their phones! Journey from the airport was certainly entertaining!
Sadly much of what we have seen today is utter squalour, with so many people living & sleeping on the streets with dogs, mothers carrying babies following us & asking for money for milk & food. We stand out so much and draw attention without realising it. For the challengers it is a new experience and to be fair they have coped & dealt with the long journey, the heat, the change in food, language and this constant atmosphere of blaring car hornes really well.
We have just finished our meal tonight and we have taken the first of our Diamox tablets for the altitude tomorrow. we are all pretty tired, but what a brilliant start to the Expedition!
We have an early start in the morning, up at 5.00am ready for our flight up to Leh. We are looking forward to it, hopefully quieter and calmer!
Thank you everyone for giving us such a good send off on friday, you are all very thoughtful and supportive.
Thursday, 7 July 2011
Good Luck
Good luck to all the world challengers. Make the most of your amazing once in a lifetime experience. I look forward to hearing your news.
On the eve of the World Challenge Expedition, Challengers are all vaccined up, kitted out and packed up ready for the build up tomorrow morning.We are all extremely excited!
It has been such a journey already from when we first committed and signed up to the Challenge in April 2010, to fund raising mega amounts of money through a massive range of events, to physical training and presenting 'our challenge'to different audiences, to balancing school work with part time jobs, to learning about ourselves, campcraft, Indian culture and language.
What adventures lie ahead? Who knows? it is this anticipation that has filled us with excitement, nerves and doubts throughout the build-up phase.
Please follow our blog and we hope you get a taste of what we are about to experience!
It has been such a journey already from when we first committed and signed up to the Challenge in April 2010, to fund raising mega amounts of money through a massive range of events, to physical training and presenting 'our challenge'to different audiences, to balancing school work with part time jobs, to learning about ourselves, campcraft, Indian culture and language.
What adventures lie ahead? Who knows? it is this anticipation that has filled us with excitement, nerves and doubts throughout the build-up phase.
Please follow our blog and we hope you get a taste of what we are about to experience!
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