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Ecuador
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Saturday, 18 July 2009 |
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In June/July 2009, working as Expedition Leader for World Challenge, I lead an expedition to Ecuador with a group from La Chataigneraie, the International School of Geneva. For the pupils this four-week expedition is the culmination of a two-year Leadership and Personal Development programme.
Our itinerary includes working with a local school in Quito, a five-day mountain trek through the Sincholagua pass at 4,500m altitude, horse riding, a four-day jungle trek in the rainforest, white-water rafting and a visit to the equator line, 'El Mitad del Mundo'.
See for photographs of this expedition
This expedition is arranged by World Challenge
 | We highly recommend World Challenge |
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France
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Monday, 11 August 2008 |
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The Corsican GR20 is one of the toughest long distance trail in Europe. Since July 2008 I regularly lead this trek for adventure travel providers. The route penetrates the central mountain mass of the island amidst a superb variety of pine forests, granite rock formations, mountain torrents and rock pools, high ridges, glacial lakes and summits.
The trail traverses the island diagonally crossing the high granite barrier of mountains that form the natural boundary between the west and east of Corsica. There is fantastic scenery and an insight into the authentic and traditional working mountain community. We meet the last of the shepherds that still follow the age-old lifestyle of the transhumance, they pass the summer months with their flocks on the high fresh airy pastures and the winters down by the coast.
We stay in a variety of different accommodations, a mix of camps, refuges, gites, or shepherds cabins, situated in places of exceptional beauty. Our evening meals are prepared for us and it is a pleasure to sit down at the end of a days walking and sample some of the local specialties with a great variety of cheeses and some good red wines.
Most days we walk carrying just a small day sack and this is a bonus since without having to carry a heavy load we can really get the most out of the walk. On some days we briefly leave the GR20 to walk to our night stops. Due to their location we are able to access our main luggage throughout the trek on most nights. When we can't get to our main luggage in the evening we carry minimum personal belongings (i.e. sleeping bag) in our packs during the day.
This trip is arranged by Walks Worldwide
| We highly recommend Walks Worldwide |
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Tanzania
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Tuesday, 09 January 2007 |
 An exciting scrambling route up Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain, after acclimatising on Mount Meru, Tanzania. The extinct volcano of Kilimanjaro is one of the world's most recognisable peaks. It rises dramatically above the dusty East African plains with the impressive snow-capped summit awarding awe-inspiring views of this magnificent landscape. The expedition travels through one of Africa's best-known game reserves and climbs through five ecosystems, offering a full mountain experience with the ascent of the continent's highest peak.
Of the Seven Summits, Kilimanjaro (5,895m/19,340ft) is the least difficult to climb. However, at over 19,000ft high, it is still a tough ascent and trekkers will need to be in good physical condition. Our expedition incorporates a thorough programme of acclimatisation, including an ascent of nearby Mount Meru (4,562m/14,947ft) as preparation for the main objective.
This trip is arranged by www.jagged-globe.co.uk.
| We highly recommend Jagged Globe |
See photographs of this expedition
See photographs of Mt Meru climb
See photographs of Mt Kilimanjaro climb
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Argentina
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Tuesday, 10 January 2006 |
 This adventurous journey takes us by road and track south from Santiago de Chile and the lakes region of southern Chile through to Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, literally at the world's end, before flying back to Buenos Aires. Chile's Puerto Montt used to be the end of the road but a new road, the Camino Austral, now goes into the fjords, and provides access to some spectacular territory. This is a wild and desolate area populated mainly by rheas, guanacos, armadillos and a rich variety of birds and is the meeting place of the Andes, the lake region and awesome continental ice cap. On route, crossing between Chile and Argentina, we climb, glisade, horse ride, hike, sail, swim and look in wonder at the beautiful scenery. There are glacial lakes and rivers to explore, the awe-inspiring Moreno glacier, the sheer faces of the Torres del Paine, Ushuaia - the city at the end of the planet, and the most vibrant cities in all of Latin America. We have lots of early starts, long days and camping all the way, except in Santiago de Chile and Buenos Aires where we rest, relax, party ... and sleep in beds!
This trip, arranged by www.exodus.co.uk, is delivered by www.smallgroupadventure.com.
 | Exodus are worth considering |
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Argentina
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Monday, 09 January 2006 |
 I first visit this country as part of an overland journey from Santiago to Tierra del Fuego. I enter Argentina at noon on 27 Dec 2005 by Road at the border with Chile at Chile Chico on the shores of the Lago General Carrera/Lago Beunos Aires (the lake changes name at the border!). Here begins our long journey south on route 40, the Camino/Cartereal Austral, to El Calafate.
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Chile
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Monday, 09 January 2006 |
 I arrive in Santiago in the morning of 18 Dec 2005 and make my way by Taxi from the airport to the Hotel Espania. After checking-in I explore the city and walk from the hotel to the main square by the Catherdral. Here there is a huge Christmas tree and many children (and their parents) are queuing to visit Father Christmas! I walk on and take the Funicular to the top of Cerro San Cristobal for panoramic views of the city.
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