I decided that perhaps the best way of sharing my experience with sponsors was to create this webspace. I hope that I give just a taste of what the trek was like. As I have already mentioned to some of you it has been the most profound travelling experience I have had since I first went to India 20 years ago. First a re-cap. The objectives of the expedition were to raise money for SCOPE and to reach the base camp of Shisha Pangma, which is the highest peak in Tibet. Our highest altitude would be 5100m. There were 45 trekkers, a Sherpa team of 12 and a local yak herding group of 10, plus 40 yaks. In all we raised over £160,000 for SCOPE. I raised just over £3400. Many thanks. For the record: Tibet is an extraordinary large landmass. It is bigger that mainland Europe and I literally the roof of the world. It comprises a vast plateau that is rich in minerals, bears few crops and is sparsely populated. Its cultural roots are in Buddhism and it is intrinsically the most peaceful land imaginable. It would be irresponsible to talk of Tibet without recognising for the Chinese atrocities and abuse of Tibetan people and culture. Over the past 60 years the Chinese have committed a series of human rights violations including the deaths of 1.2 million Tibetan, the denigration of their culture, religion and way of life. To visit Tibet is inspiring, uplifting but ultimately very sad. The impact of Chinese domination is apparent in even the smallest of towns and it is no small miracle that the Tibetan spirit continues to hold out hope for freedom.
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6