An Appetite For Adventure

There is still a belief that adventure and exploration is a male dominated area. This shouldn’t be the case as a woman is as capable as any man in succeeding.  There is the misconception that to be an adventurer one needs to be a superman like figure. It’s true that one needs physical robustness but the real strength lies in how much mental strength and heart one possesses. Women certainly have as much mental strength and resilience if not more than any man. Having led many women and sometimes all female groups on various expeditions throughout the years we’ve seen first-hand how capable women are and how well they do on expeditions.

Whether you are male or female, there is so much long-term benefit one can get from taking part in an expedition. It’s not just about having a great time on a two or three week trip to the Himalaya for example. Through challenging oneself in a very different environment that you are familiar with, you are taken outside of your comfort zone and it is here many people learn much about themselves, both their strength and weaknesses which are equally important. We’ve found that people have used this knowledge to their advantage. Those that venture with us glean a great deal of information about themselves and look at things from a different perspective which allows them to use something positive from what they have learnt in their day to day lives for the better.

To give you a taste and feel for a true expedition one only needs to imagine some of the iconic names such as the Base Camp of Mount Everest, or climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain on the African continent.

To visit the Base Camp of Mount Everest is to retrace a historic route pioneered in the 1950s and immortalised by Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary, following their successful summit of the highest mountain in the world. This trip is not just about the spectacular scenery of journeying through the greatest mountain range in the world and getting up close and personal to Mount Everest. It is about the people. The people you meet through the villages will imprint on you a lasting impression of the cheerfulness and generosity of the Nepali folk. The legendary Sherpa people are found in these hills, famed for their mountaineering prowess and loyalty.

Your journey begins in Kathmandu which only opened the doors to foreigners just 60 years ago. The sights and sounds of this vibrant city will array your senses. You have an opportunity to richly immerse yourself in the diverse culture by taking part in experiences we have carefully selected for you while in the city.

To travel to Mount Everest you have to go into the heart of the Himalaya. A breathtaking flight will take you to the start of your trek. The flight itself is considered a unique experience as during your astounding flight one can be blessed with awesome views of the highest mountains in the world.

The trek will take you through lush valleys and Sherpa villages, trekking steadily higher to the giants of the world. These mountains are considered to be deities by the Sherpa. Once there you realise why, as you can’t help but be struck by the awe and wonder around these ‘gods’ of the mountains as the sense of spirituality surrounds you. Finally you accomplish your goal of reaching Mount Everest, ‘Goddess mother of the universe’.

Mount Kilimanjaro is not just the highest mountain in the African continent, it is also the highest freestanding mountain in the whole world. The mountain dominates the African landscape, standing majestically overlooking the continent.

The history of the mountain is colourful and unique, with early European pioneers spotting the snow-capped mountain while travelling through Africa. There was disbelief and world-wide controversy when the early travellers returned with reports of a huge mountain with snow and ice on top so close to the equator!

That’s the beauty to Kilimanjaro, the contrast of the dry and arid plains of Africa to the fertile foothills of the mountain and the surreal glaciated landscape at the top. Many don’t realise that to climb Kilimanjaro is to go through all the different climatic zones in the world, from the lush rainforest teaming with wildlife to the ice cap as you approach the summit. No one day is the same, as the scenery changes dramatically each day and sometimes within a matter of hours.

Throughout the journey we are accompanied by porters and local guides from East Africa, many coming from the impressive Chagga tribe which populate the lower slopes of the mountain. Without these important members of our team none of these expeditions would be possible. We encourage those with us to share ideas with our local team, learning more about their ways and culture, likewise they learn more about us, promoting a greater understanding between one another and an altogether richer experience.

Although the height of the mountain, at 5.895m, can be measured to proclaim it to be the highest mountain in Africa, the reward and experience one has in climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is immeasurable.

If you would like more information on 360 Expeditions then be sure to visit their website at http://360-expeditions.com

Raj Joshi

Posted Tue, 01/03/2012 - 14:29 by Anonymous