We have a full expedition team - 13 of us in all!
The team is.. in no particular order:
- Cameron Clark
- Charlie Pidgeon
- Miles Ashton
- Alex Partridge
- Harry Reece
- Chris Ripper
- Jonny Watson
- Jamie Conn
- Wilf Gilbert
- James Hawkins
- Lawrance Panter
- Jethro White
- Will Ruddick
Also, we have sorted out the project for the trip.
We shall be helping to set up a community development project with LEDeG - the Ladakh Ecological Development Group. And what a location!! ... a small village called Gyapak, which is 3-4 km away from Padum, in the Zanskar valley, close to our put-in for the Zanskar. Padum is the "capital" of the whole Zanskar region, which has a total population of only 10,000!
The plan is to build a two-room workshop for the women's self help group in Zanskar. The group is involved in the production of handicraft products. Winter is the best time for this - however, winter temperatures of -30 degrees are not uncommon - so it is a bit chilly to work outside! We shall be helping the villagers to construct a work-shed ussing passive solar technology. Trombe walls are used to provide space heating for the work shed. We will be briefed of the solar construction techniques whilst we are in Leh.
One of the exciting aspects of this project is that we have the oppurtunity to stay with families in the village for the 4 or 5 days - which will be an amazing experience! Matt says we shall have to get used to the taste and smell of yak butter tea! all part of the character-building experience I suppose...
