Explorers Connect

Great locations and local contacts?

OtherBelinda KirkComment

I'm running a 12-day charity educational expedition in 2015 for 20-25 year olds that incorporates the following elements. 1) Residential, 2) Adventure, 3) Community. Would like the residential and community phases to be based in huts/cabins/yurts/lavvus and the adventure phase to be a water based journey in Canoes.

Less than a 5 hour direct flight from the UK. Any thoughts or suggestions on specific locations where you could also put me in touch with a local contact and where Canoes can be hired? (I have run this at Destination Setesdal in Norway the last 2 years) Any other countries and suggestions much appreciated!

Thanks,

Scotty

scotty.johnson@me.com

Ash Dykes - Walking Across Mongolia

CommunityBelinda KirkComment

May 2014, I am attempting to be the first person to complete a solo unsupported walk, across the brutal unforgiving terrain, of the second-largest landlocked country in the world - Mongolia.

I will be walking from West to East, through the Altai Mountains, Gobi Desert the Mongolia steppe, facing harsh weather conditions from the extreme heat to the extreme cold, sand storms, blizzards and facing some dangerous Mongolian wildlife, from the Grey Wolves, Wild Dogs venomous creatures.

The expedition will take me up to 100 days, I will be pulling all of my own provisions, including food water on a wheeled desert cart, weighing up to 100 - 150kgs. I am also raising funds for the British Red Cross and will be documenting my journey across the country.

Cardiff Explorers' Maria in Siberian Ice Race

CommunityBelinda KirkComment

Cardiff Explorers organiser Maria Leijerstam will head to Irkutsk in Russia this Thursday to participate in the Siberian Black Ice Race, a 379 mile race across Lake Baikal, the largest freshwater lake in the world.

This will be no ordinary race. Maria intends to travel across the frozen lake by bike. She will need to carry all her equipment with her, including her tent, stove and food. In order to prepare for the event she has been testing her specially modified Quoroz Titanium Mountain Bike complete with ice tyres, at Planet Ice in Cardiff Bay.

Temperatures on the race may drop to as low as -40C with the wind chill so Maria has been choosing her kit and equipment carefully, making sure her hands and feet are protected from the danger of frostbite. To ensure that she can maintain the energy levels required for this kind of endurance challenge she will be eating a high calorie diet of up to 6000 calories a day.

You can follow her progress on her blog www.marialeijerstam.blogspot.com/Maria will fundraise for Alzheimers UK and you can donate at www.justgiving.com/leijerstam

Good Luck Maria!

The Myth of Mustang: Trekking in Nepal

Join a TeamBelinda KirkComment

We are trekking in Nepal this May here at The Explorer's Passage!

A trans-Himalayan journey through the sacred Kingdom of Mustang.The Story behind this epic Himalayan trek is embedded not only in ancient Buddhist myth, culture and art, but also in the snow-capped peaks, wind-carved canyons and verdant valleys that dominate Nepal's surreal and spectacular landscape.

Welcome to the world of Guru Rinpoche, also known as Padmasambhava, an eminent Indian sage called upon by King Trisong Detsen in 760 AD to subdue demonical spirits hindering the introduction of Buddhism into Tibet. According to legend, the king's request spurred a heroic battle as Rinpoche pursued these spirits throughout the Kingdom of Mustang and into Tibet, carrying with him the 'great truth,' or dharma, until finally, he prevailed.

A once-in-a-lifetime expedition marked by myth, majesty and mind-boggling natural beauty! Come with us to Nepal in May 2014! Expedition DetailsHost City: KathmanduDuration: 17 Days / 16 Nights Accommodations: 6 Nights Hotel / 10 Nights Tented Camp Pricing$4,500 (5 Guests)$4,100 (6-8 Guests)$3,800 (9-11 Guests)$3,550 (12-14 Guests)$3,450 (15 Guests)

For more information, contact - brian@explorerspassage.com