Scientific Exploration Society Awards Scheme

It is a commonly held misconception that the days of the great exploratory expeditions are over. Programmes such as the SES Award Scheme are vital to fuel the efforts of young explorers, to facilitate the projects of the next generation of expedition leaders, and to continue the long and proud British tradition of stepping off the map.

Monty Halls The Scientific Exploration Society Awards Scheme is intended to offer support to an innovative individual who has put together a team and a plan for an expedition for scientific research. He or she should share the pioneering commitment of Col John Blashford-Snell OBE, by inspiring other people to go on and do great things.

Applications are invited by 1st December and by 1st August each year, and grants are generally of 500,sponsored awards may be higher, please see website for fulldetails: www.ses-explore.org/awards

Retracing the footsteps of Isabella Bird in 1889

Isabella Bird is the fourth early female explorer that I have retraced the journey of and filmed. I shall begin writing book shortly but am keen to recreate the journeys of Florence Baker in Uganda and Kate Marsden riding across Siberia as part of it.

The Isabella Bird expedition went very well and she was such a good choice her 1889 journey is documented in detail in her book and it was so interesting to follow her journey through such an unchanged landscape into Nubra. Ladakh is stunning and the mountains appear to float majestically above the valleys that I passed and as the going got tougher our lovely team that consisted of 7 ponies and a Tibetan refugee pony man, two young Nepalese cooks and a Ladakhi guide who had so much experience were there to make the going easier, (the hardest part was climbing to 5,400m up a glacier!). I was so thrilled to have found the palace in Hundar described in her book although it had sunk a floor into the ground and I have written a report about it for the Indian Archaeological Department so that it can be saved.

I met the Rev Gergan whose family once owned it but did not know where it was and it was his great, great grandfather who had escorted Isabella into the Nubra valley all those years ago and his front garden that she had pitched her enormous tent in Leh to recover from the long Yak ride back. It only left the audience with the King of Ladakh to organise, which she had done as she left....and I had my wish and got a ten minute audience with him at the Stok Palace. Our stories matched at that point, room with carpets, fresh apricots and apple juice served, the Gyalpo hardly spoke.

So I think I became Isabella Bird by the end! I shall be talking about this journey at The Galley Wine Bar at 133 Hotwells Road in Bristol at 7.30 on Friday 26th October in aid of The Stroke Association and everyone is welcome. "

Great Salmon Tour

Last year I started an effort to put together a series of global expeditions for 2014 that I called the Great Salmon Tour. Unfortunately, unsuccessful efforts to raise money and put together a dedicated team tanked the project. Thus, instead I had to embark on my own adventure and get a paid job working on recovering sturgeon and create habitat for native fish species in the Mississippi River. However, I have not given up on the project to travel around the world to document the diversity of salmon fishes and how local communities are linked socially and culturally to their native salmonids. What I need is a partner(s) that will be dedicated to help realizing the project.

The person(s) should have experience or at least stamina and will to work to make expeditions happen, from idea to finish, including working towards getting funding. What I bring is scientific legitimacy (i am a biologist with many years of experience), contacts for access to areas, and a developed concept. The idea is to let audiences experience through film, pictures, and articles the search for the salmon fishes and the ways they nourish cultural, spiritual, and personal relationships with human communities. The aim for 2013 was to visit Arctic Canada and Inuit fishing for Arctic charr, Sierra Madre Occidental in Mexico to find the Mexican lost trout, Lake Baikal in Russia to join fishermen fishing for the famous omul and its spawning runs in rivers, and to visit Slovenia to join fly fishermen fishing for the rare Danube river salmon in the frigid European winter. I also have contacts for finding the tigris trout in Kurdish Iraq but that may be a little sketchy at the moment. The aim is to raise awareness of the diversity of salmon fishes, the threat to this diversity, and the diversity of cultures that people has forged with the different species. When we lose biodiversity, we not only lose species we also lose our own cultural diversity.

Started in 2010, the GST traveled to remote villages along Yukon River to cover the salmon subsistence fishery of native Alaskans, to not so remote California to meet with small boat salmon fishermen and women to talk about the status of salmon and how they see their future, to mountainous areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina to meet the scientist studying the unique diversity of trout in the Balkans, and to nomads on the Mongolian steppe to learn about how taimen salmon is incorporated into local folklore and faith.

Shipping companies from UK to Canadian Arctic?

I am trying to ship a crate of approximately 400kg to the Canadian Arctic.

Which are the shipping companies out there that would do this? And if anyone has done this recently, can you recommend a particular company?

E-publishing & editors for expedition books

I'm looking for an editor for the book I've just written on our last expedition (A Short Walk in the Gambian Bush - a 930km African odyssey) and indeed it edited before I put it out there.

I'm also thinking of e-publishing (with photos too)...any ideas,,tips, suggestions would be much appreciated.

Many thanks,

Helen

Expedition Yacht sail or motor

Hi,

Looking for information on an expedition yacht (power or sail). 50 to 100 foot with a RIB for filming in Greenland/Iceland. The expedition is a mixture of kayaking and diving around the Greenland Coast.

Our biggest issue is it's fairly last minute. Our original support vessel has had mechanical issues so we're looking for a replacement. The expedition is only 3 weeks around the end of August/beginning of September. Any information gratefully received.

Many thanks,

Alasdair Boden

Has anyone hiked to the Giants Of Manpupuner

I am looking for advice and or guidance toward a possible trip a friend and I are considering in Russia.

I and a friend are looking to travel from mid to end January in 2014 giving aprox' three to three and a half weeks to travel to the famous hidden wonder the Giants of Manpupuner (eg:http://int.rgo.ru/news/the-manpupuner-rock-formations/ ) It is approximately 100km from the nearest settlement and we are planning to hike or ski tour to the location and return. I was wondering if anyone had done this themselves and or is able to provide details of the likely weather conditions present in late january in the area and if reaching the starting location (the nearest town) is a reasonable consideration in this time of year.

Any advice what so ever would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Will

Suitable venue for incredible Adventure Film?

Hello there,

I am looking for a venue to host a rather special evening. I am organising a film showing (Hanuman Airlines) on behalf of Sano Babu who was voted the National Geographic Adventurer of the year 2012 along with his equally crazy expedition partner Lakpa. In April 2011, they launched a paraglider from Mount Everest's summit and kayaked the Ganges to the Indian Ocean. Babu had never climbed before, Lakpa couldnt swim, and neither had seen the ocean before. Babu is in the UK for a short time only to show his film, answer many questions as possible and generally enchant audiences with his message.

The requirements for the venue: Have thecapacityofat least50 - ideally 100 Have a projector, PA system, seats etc! Location Central or south londoni deally but would consider else where. Doesn't need to be fancy but needs to do the job well! Have availability 21st/22nd or Aug - Maybe there are adventure clubs and organisation that would have a venue? I am also looking at venues outside of London so if anyone has any ideas or organisations that would like to host him them do let me know.

Kind Regards,

Graham

Kathmandu - Kashgar - Kyrgyzstan overland

Hi everyone,

In 2013 I'm planning an overland adventure (by any means other than flying) from Bangalore to Birmingham. My proposed route will take me through Nepal, Tibet, Western China and then into the Stans. I've read on my travel forums that if coming from Nepal, only a 15-21 day visa will be issued for Tibet. An existing Chinese visa will be ripped up. It is my understanding the the Tibet visa can be changed to a Chinese one when leaving Tibet, but the 15-21 day rule still applies. So that means you have very little time to get out of China. However, I see a number of overland tours do this route and seem to take much longer over it. So I hoped that somebody may be able to advise me whether there is a potential way around this?

Many thanks,

Ed

edwardjfhewitt@gmail.com

Question - cameras

I am off to Island Peak in Nepal in November and need a wee camera that can do great views and people shots, and handle the temps of -20C and UV at 6000m. Any suggestions?

Many thanks,

Dave Stewart

dave@freshairlearning.com

A quick guide to navigation

"Do you recoil in horror when someone presents you with a map and compass? Are you looking at cryptic lines and symbols like a spider has climbed out of an ink jar and danced a polka over some paper? Then focus in fear on the crazily spinning needle of a compass which you're sure was pointing the other way just a few seconds ago?

Navigation can at times seem like a black art. However there are a few tips which can make sense out of the chaos. Always trust the compass. This is probably rule No. 1. Your compass will never lie to you. Depending on which type you use, one end of the magnetised needle will always point North, everything else to do with naving follows on from this unalterable truth. N.B. never wear mitts or gloves with a magnet in them while holding your compass I am speaking from experience. The map is a two dimensional representation of a three dimensional environment. Imagine your room if viewed from above, with line representations of all the furniture, contour lines and spot heights to show the shape and elevation of all objects above floor -level.

One common error is for people to try to make the terrain they can see in their surroundings fit with where they think they are - or want to be - on the map: You have a point on the map where you THINK you are, so you look and see what features are marked around it. You see a wood, some hills, a river and a road and then you look up from the map and try to find these around you. Wrong! You should always identify features on the ground FIRST and then try to find them on your map. Otherwise, wishful thinking can get in the way of objectivity. The best features you can use as reference points are the most obvious ones. Structures like power-lines, radio masts and bridges, their singularity and prominence make them great reference points like the pole star. In the absence of these try to find a prominent natural feature that you can use and always keep half an eye on it while you are steering/walking so as to maintain your course. Rivers and tracks or roads can be good but if you are right off in the ulu then you may have to find a prominent hill or mountain and use that as far as possible. Always orientate the map to the ground. If you turn the map so that the top is pointing North then it will help you to match up the features on the ground with features on the map, making it much easier to find your way. If you get lost, always retrace your steps to the last place where you knew where you were.

For equipment, a full-size clear plastic Silva compass is probably a good bet. Keep it on a lanyard and secured to you, either around the neck or on a mini-carabiner attached to a belt loop. Your map should be kept in a waterproof case, also secured to you. If your map gets wet or blown away it wont be much use to you. If you are planning to go off into the wilderness then there is no substitute for experience. You could read all the books, guides, videos and get a doctorate in theoretical navigation, but you still don't know diddly until you put it into practice. So get out there with a map and compass amongst the hills and do some routes on your own before you head off into the wilderness. One last tip - never use a green head-torch to read a map - try it sometime and witness all the woods and main roads vanish as if by magic!"

Fear of Failing of Failing from Fear

In response to the recent posts on Fear - I am something of a failure. There, I said it. On a number of occasions in the last year I have failed to achieve something through fear, most notably last year, while in Snowdonia I failed to reach the summit of Tryfan.

It wasn't through lack of fitness, or desire to reach the top and leap, gazelle-like, from Adam to Eve (or is it Eve to Adam, I forget) no, it was a simple case of getting about three quarters of the way up the north ridge, looking up at the wall of rock that remained and my bottle falling out of my arse. I have always been afraid of heights. Always. 8 years old, school trip to Durham Cathedral. Climb to the top of the tower. Going up the spiral staircase I can feel the tower swaying its not swaying and unless a major earthquake hits Durham it never will but I can feel it swaying all the same. Get to the top. Refuse to go anywhere near the parapet. Miss out on view of Durham. Two years later, 10 Years old. Family trip to Richmond in North Yorkshire. My Dad drags me to the top of the Castle Keep to cure my fear.

It doesnt. The Keep is only 100ft high. I still hear the screaming when I close my eyes. In three visits to Paris I have never managed higher than the Second floor of the Eiffel Tower. Ski lifts usually these delightful contraptions skim along a mere 20-30ft above the heads of the merry crowds below, however there is (or was, its been 10 years) one lift in Teton Village that suddenly takes off and soars up a vertical cliff face, I have travelled on it once, and I tried to get off halfway. Had it not been for Mrs W halting my progress I would now be a greasy red smear on that cliff face. The London Eye fills me with dread, and a sense that it would be an enormous waste of money; as I would inevitably spend the entire revolution gibbering, face down in the centre of the pod. I know its a clich but I started climbing thinking it would maybe finish what my dad had tried to start and that by exposing myself (not that like you perverts!) to my aversion would rid me of the fear. It hasn't.

What it has done is teach me, to an extent, to control it. It still surfaces now and again, I climbed last Wednesday and tried to lead on an overhang, I got three clips off the ground and started to struggle. All I needed to do was bring a foot up onto a feature and step up bringing the next hold and clip into reach. But I couldn't do it, then I realised, I wasn't afraid of the height or the fall particularly. I was afraid of not doing it, of failing. I look back at my failure on Tryfan last year and thinking about it, I realise I wasn't afraid of the height; in fact I was sitting on a nice flat bit at the time, it was looking up and thinking what if I go further and then find I cant do it and get stuck. Failure. So now I'm afraid of failing, here we go again "

The only way is up (unless you're coming down)

When I'm asked what it is like to trek or climb mountains, I always compare it to my perception of natural childbirth from stories from the various mums I know. At the time it can seem like the most difficult thing in the entire world, but give it a while and youll be ready to do it all over again!

Perhaps the following is just the musing of an inexperienced adventurer or maybe I haven't taken on a climb tough enough to warrant such an opinion but I actually think the hardest part about climbing mountains is after you descend. More often than not the truly hardest part comes weeks, or even months later. I trekked Mount Kilimanjaro for the second time in 2010 in my role as a tour leader for a fundraising charity challenge organisation. The group was made up of 30 participants from all over the UK and Channel Islands fundraising for their local radio station children's charity plus a trip medic, me and all our fabulous local staff. The going was tough, with some of the group succumbing to the altitude related illness and exhaustion that comes with trekking to a peak almost 6000m high! Indeed, even I suffered the effects of mild acute mountain sickness which led to me being unable to continue to the summit for my second visit to Uhuru Peak.

The vast majority of people who climb mountains intend to reach the summit, but no-one tells you that physical training and acclimatisation doesn't prepare you for the mental strength you need when you have to be to admit to yourself and your guide that you have to turn back. You then have to deal with that decision in the weeks, months and years following your attempt. This decision is often more difficult than the actual climb itself. Getting altitude sickness and the awful feeling that goes with it wasn't the hardest part of the Kilimanjaro trek for me; at the time it was the only decision to make while I still had the ability to judge that continuing would put myself (and possibly my fellow team members) at risk. The hardest part came around three weeks later upon reflection of the trip as a whole when I started asking myself what more could I have done to have made it to the summit?, 'if only I had done X,Y or Z'. This thought leaves a sinking feeling in your stomach, a feeling that is more intense than disappointment, more helpless and powerless. 

Anyone who has attempted to summit a peak but been unable to reach it will surely relate to this; it haunts you. For those who are successful in their attempt at their summit goal, the hardest part still comes later (albeit in a much more positive way!). Short term, the adrenaline of reaching the summit wears off fairly quickly and then the tiredness hits, leaving your body fighting to keep you awake and moving down towards your camp, while the pressure on your knees builds and your pack digs into your hips and shoulders with every footstep. Long term, climbing mountains is very addictive, perhaps enhanced by the feeling of intense elation and happiness beyond belief once you hit the top, which leaves you with an itch which is difficult to scratch without a fairly significant amount of money and time depending on the mountain in question.

You also tend to be attracted towards bigger and better mountains, to quench your increasing thirst! From my experience, while you are on a mountain you become part of a family with your team of guides, staff and climbing buddies and you bond with each other. In this unusual and often extreme environment you simply forget your day-to-day worries and concentrate on being part of a team and trying to reach the top. Weeks after your climb is when you feel the sad pangs of broken bonds, when you miss your climbing family and the experiences you had together, which to outsiders seem insignificant but to you are the small things that made a difference on your adventure. 

Just remember that what goes up, must come down and sometimes the time to come down is before you think you are ready.

F.E.A.R - False Evidence Appearing Real?

"F.E.A.R - False Evidence Appearing Real? Fear can be debilitating in the outdoors and fear can be debilitating in life. For sure it can be. It can stop you from trying something that you may think is beyond your capabilities. It is all too easy to put up barriers and to justify inaction based on the what ifs.

When we do this, when we listen to our fears and decide not to take a risk we close off the potential to achieve great things. If we only felt the fear and did it anyway, who knows what rewards would await us. But fear has its place too. Fear can also be extremely beneficial. It can keep us safe and in some situations, alive. It can be the primary motivating factor behind that all important decision to turn back. In this way, fear can be the sole mechanism that delivers us to the pub at the end of a day so that we can live to experience another day in the outdoors. So how do we separate the two?

How do we identify whether the adrenaline in our veins is telling us to just do it, or whether it is pushing our lives towards a rather messy and/or premature conclusion? Im not sure there is a definitive answer. I can only speculate that unhealthy fears are the ones that hold us back, and healthy fears must be those that preserve our existence on this planet. Being able to identify whether your quickened heart rate is pushing you onwards or telling you that it is time to retreat can sometimes be more important than our ability to navigate or our choice of appropriate clothing or gear. Quite frankly it is the skill that can separate those who enjoy a long and rewarding career in the outdoors from those who are, well, brown bread. My own relationship with fear is an interesting one. Just over a year and a half ago I was in a place where everything was upside down.

I was having panic attacks about things I wasnt even remotely scared of. Bizarrely, it was also at this time that I started to actually do things that other people would consider paralysingly petrifying. Stuff like rock climbing and mountaineering. It was quite frankly laughable that back then the concept of bumping into my ex in the supermarket would induce more feelings of terror than putting myself into a potential life or death situation on a rockface. Like I said, it was a confusing time. When I look back now it all makes perfect sense to me. The utter simplicity of being in the mountains overrode any fears that may have taken hold. The purity of the air, the awesome power of nature, and the friendships formed all combined to restore in me my sense of self and quietened my noisy head.

Here I was neither in control nor out of control it was a game of calculated risk. If I listened to the mountain, weighed up the options, focused, breathed appropriately, and looked only a few moves ahead, then I would succeed. It became a case of putting one foot in front of the other and in so doing it was suddenly eminently possible to reach the top of a Munro on ski in a total whiteout, to traverse the ridges of An Teallach in thick fog, and to succeed on a 6a route having only ever climbed twice previously. It was this adoption of the one foot in front of the other approach, together with a point blank refusal to submit to the irrational fears that got me past chaos and self-doubt, to the top, to fresh air, to calm, to the future. So where does this leave us with fear?

Well I guess the point Im trying to make is that where there is real risk there should be fear. And while you can never have zero risk in wild places you can minimise the risks by taking things one step at a time, immersing yourself in the moment, and enjoying the journey. And if you adopt this outlook on the mountain and in your every day life, then there is nothing to be afraid of. Sophie Nicholson Adventure Sports/Travel Journalist living in the French Alps "

Runner's High Plus

I tweeted a question earlier this week - If runner's have their high then what do we climbers have?

We couldn't have high even if it hadn't already been taken; it's just too bloody literal. I got a variety of replies including a four tweet epic from Mr NICAS himself, Iain McKenzie, but the basic gist of all the replies was that whatever we call that combination of superhuman and battered-to-hell set of emotions we experience after a session at the crag or after completing a grade-pushing pitch it's definitely a mix of elation at the achievement, the endorphin release from the strenuous exercise and the adrenaline shot of fear. My original question came from having completed my first overhanging lead during an evening at Craggy Island. It wasnt a tough grade (only a 4) and had it been on less steep ground I'd have danced up it, but, I find overhangs deeply intimidating.

They stir something visceral which just makes me want to run and hide. I've got to say it was bloody hard work, definitely not elegant and I made some glaring errors (including z clipping the second quickdraw and having to down climb to rectify) but I got to the top and I felt incredible. By the time Matt had lowered me off I was a quivering, sweaty mess. My legs and arms turned to jelly by the adrenaline and lactic, my mind singing from the endorphins and I was on top of the world. What I was feeling was akin to the runner's high but the extra loading of fear turned it into something far more powerful. It started me thinking of the concept of the sublime as described by Robert Macfarlane in his excellent Mountains of the Mind. This concept of sublime is not the modern use of the word so beloved of Loral and the like where Cheryl Kerl minces about telling us her hair feels canny sublime, pet This is the Sublime where you are elevated closer to your respective deity by proximity to the force of nature, the search for this Sublime is the force that drove respectable Victorians to swoon at the sight of a glacier and to haul cases of claret to the summit of Mont Blanc to quaff merrily in sight of their god whilst their toes (and servants) succumbed to frostbite.

To my mind this is what we Climbers are experiencing, this Runner's High Plus we attain, is actually a little bit of The Sublime. We know now, in the 21st Century, that this feeling is just the effect of a few molecules of hormone on our bodies and minds, but to reduce this awesome feeling to mere science doesn't, I'm afraid, do it justice so I'm sticking with The Sublime and I intend to keep grabbing little bits of it whenever I can.

This article was originally published on my blog -http://notevenbleeding.blogspot.co.uk/ but I've placed it on here in response to Glen Downton's article examining why we want to travel.

Jungle Equipment

Hot, wet, humid and full of bugs; the jungle requires some specialist kit and a daily routine that takes a bit of getting used to. In this article I will cover the clothing and equipment you will need before venturing into the trees. What I hope to do is to give you some guidelines to help you come up with your own jungle kit.

Jungle routine

The general routine for working and travelling in the jungle is to only take two sets of clothing, a wet set and a dry set. During the day I wear my wet set, all day, every day. This will get wet, from sweat and or rain and will generally stay wet for the duration of the trip. When I have set up camp in the evening and all the camp chores have been done, I wash myself and my wet set in a stream to remove any salt, which will cause irritation if allowed to build up in the clothing weave. I then hang my wet set on a line under my tarp, dry and powder my feet and change into my dry set. It is very important that you make sure you keep this set dry at all times, as having two wet sets is no fun! In the morning I pack away my dry set in a small dry bag and then put that inside my main dry bag. Its then time to put on my wet set, which will be cold and horrible, I don't think anyone gets used to this! However after five minutes its like you have never been out of them and its time for another exciting day in the jungle.

Clothing

Clothes need to be tough to survive the constant wet conditions, the spiny wait-a-while vines and also protect you from biting insects. I generally choose natural materials over synthetics as I find cotton does not pick up body odours as quickly, although it does take a bit longer to dry.

Clothing is a very personal thing and what works for me may not work for you. Wet Kit Underwear I prefer to wear Lycra running shorts to reduce rubbing caused by wet trousers on your inner thigh. Some people wear swimming shorts and some wear nothing at all - like I said, its a very personal thing!

Trousers

British Army lightweights or cotton cargo trousers are the best option. Keep them loose fitting to allow freedom of movement and also allow wait-a-while to catch fabric rather than skin. Having a few pockets enables you to keep important items on you at all times. I tuck them into the tops of my jungle boots to stop leeches getting in. Shirt I prefer to wear a long sleeve shirt, which allows me to have the sleeves up during the day then roll them if the mosquitoes are a problem. The 5.11 Tactical range make a very good cotton shirt that is tough enough to stand up to the rigours of jungle travel. It has good chest pockets, which can carry a lot of gear and a good vent at the back to help keep you cool. As with trousers it is best to keep your shirt baggy and tucked in. Socks I go for a good pair of thick high percentage wool hiking socks without seams on the heels, as this reduces blisters on pressure points. Wool does not start to smell as quickly as synthetic socks. Some people prefer to wear one thin pair of socks under the thick pair to reduce friction, but I find in the jungle my feet get too hot with both pairs on. It is important to clean your socks each evening, to remove sand build-up, which can lead to very painful feet.

Boots

There is no point trying to keep your feet dry in the jungle, it just will not happen! I have seen people feet fall apart in waterproof boots, as once in, the water cant get out. It is a better bet to accept wet feet and choose boots with this in mind. I wear US Military jungle boots with a good chunky Panama sole, draining eyelets and a canvas upper. The ones by Altama are good. Jungle terrain can be very muddy and slippery and normal hiking boot soles cant get enough grip. The Panama sole allows good grip and it also pushes the mud out of the sides to keep the tread clear. The two eyelets allow the boot to quickly drain any water after submersion during say, a river crossing. The canvas uppers also aid the removal of water, as well as help ventilation. Any foam or padding in the boots will just hold water and make them very heavy. Belt Avoid leather, as it soon turns mouldy in the damp conditions. I use an old roof rack strap! Hat I am not keen on wide-brimmed hats under the canopy as I find they restrict my vision too much. I always take a baseball cap but only ever use it if I am in the sun, for example on a HLS (Helicopter Landing Site) or travelling by river. Poncho I carry a US poncho that packs up nice and small and weighs very little. It allows plenty of air to circulate so you dont become sweaty, unlike in waterproof jackets. I only really use this when it has been raining for a long time. A short downpour is more refreshing than anything else!

Dry Kit Shorts

I carry a pair of cotton cargo shorts to wear in the evening. They pack down small and still have pockets to hold useful items such as a head torch.

T-shirt

A cotton T-shirt is all thats needed in the evening. If mosquitoes are a problem I just apply mosquito repellent. Crocs It is nice to powder your feet and give them a chance to air and dry out in the evening. However some people prefer to take trainers or lightweight converse shoes as they offer more protection.

Equipment

You need very little equipment in the jungle, but what you do choose to take with you is very important. Rucksack An external frame pack has an advantage in the jungle as it increases air flow and therefore reduces the risk of getting a sweat rash on your back. Having external pockets means you can easily access commonly used items such as your brew kit or first aid kit, without having to go into the main compartment. Anything you want to stay dry needs to be put into dry bags as no rucksack is 100% waterproof. Depending on the length of your trip a 50-80ltr rucksack should be big enough. Remember the bigger your rucksack the more you end up taking!

Dry Bag

I find dry bags made by Ortelib to be the toughest. I prefer to put things into lots of little bags instead of just one large one in case it gets punctured. Make sure you label the outside of each bag so you can tell whats inside at a glance. Shelter There is no better shelter for use in the jungle than the tarp and hammock; it was designed for use in this warm wet environment.

What credentials are expected to be held by an 'expedition medic'?

Hi all, What credentials are expected to be held by an 'expedition medic'? In general is it expected to have just done an expedition medicine course, or to hold that in addition to being a qualified doctor or paramedic? There are lots of different companies doing exped medic courses, but is there an industry standard?

All the best,

James

Exploring the Yukon: 24th May to 3rd Aug 2011

Tom, Teo and I set ourselves the goal of paddling 3000 km down the Yukon River last summer. This unguided and unsupported adventure across North America took us 6 weeks and through some of the world's most beautiful and scarcely populated wilderness areas.

Our total lack of kayak/canoe experience made it that much more exciting (daft). Highly recommended!

Visit the website: http://www.exploringtheyukon.com/