TREK NEPAL WITH FITNESS2428
This year Fitness2428 members and staff have had the fantastic opportunity to be involved with Geoff Martin, local trekking expert who will lead our enthusiastic group of 14 on a 21 day trip to the amazing country of Nepal. We would love to extend this invitation to anyone who may want to join us.
- When: The dates of the trip are – 17th Oct Depart Sydney – 8th Nov Arrive Sydney
- Activity: A fully guided trekking expedition to Nepal
- Grade: Gokyo - Moderate to strenuous. A very good level of fitness will be required
Gokyo High Passes - Strenuous. A high level of fitness will be required
- Cost: $4980
- Contact: Geoff Martin 6552 5255 at BBQ’s Galore Taree for details
TREKING TIPS
After preparation of necessary equipment the major element to consider in adventure travel is personal level of physical conditioning. The wonderful thing about trekking is that just about everyone, at any age level, can participate.
Trekkers will want to consider the following fitness categories as they relate to their own conditioning levels:
- Sufficient cardiovascular training base to be adequately prepared for participation on treks. In general, 2-3 workouts a week (40-60) minutes of aerobic and anaerobic activities specific to the adventure e.g. walking, hill or stair climbing, or other suitable aerobic exercise that works the muscles in the legs will help with trekking conditioning.
- Adequate strengthening of any muscle groups is important for trekking especially those that are known to be particularly weak. That may be hips, lower back, shoulders, the large muscles around the knees, or perhaps smaller muscles in the feet, ankles and calves.
- Knowledge of how to maintain mobility in joints and stretch muscles and fascia that get tight following activity. The joints that tend to get tight after long treks with a loaded pack are hips, lower back and muscles calves, quads, glutes, hip flexors, shoulders, and hamstrings, all to varying degrees depending on individual body types.
- Existence and correction of any pre-existing physical conditions that need to be addressed before going on any training outings, such as lower back pain, over mobile ankles, weak knees . A qualified fitness specialist and physiotherapist working together can help address these issues.
Fitness2428’s Fitness specialists Kerryann and Fergus Hayes , both have extensive experience in endurance and strength training, appropriate leg, hip, shoulder and core strengthening exercises as well as stretches for those muscle groups that get stressed most frequently during trekking. Under the guidance of a trainer Trekkers can also gain a better understanding of how to gradually ramp up physical training to prepare for an adventure to remember without strains or injuries.
Education Assistance for Nepal
A note from Geoff Martin (Trek Leader) and Mingmar Tensing Lama (Head Sherpa)
When in Nepal in 2001 it was very noticeable that the children in the schools, although happy and reasonably healthy, had no educational aids whatsoever. The schools were basic mud brick structures with no lighting or windows, the children sat on dirt floors or wooden benches and there were no pencils, paper, erasers or any of the essentials that our children take for granted in their everyday life. At lunch or after school there were no sporting aids for the children to play with, not even a ball to throw around. At the time, we had taken some simple items which were given to the teachers for use in the schools and were amazed at the sheer delight on the faces of the children when a ball was produced for a game of catch.
Shoebox for Nepal
Over the last few years “The Shoebox for Nepal” was developed. We linked with trekking groups to distribute the equipment in packages small enough to be carried by the Sherpa and Porter network. A good Sherpa friend in Nepal, Mingmar Tensing Lama has since distributed many of these packages. This program is ongoing.
Sponsor a School
The next stage of assistance was to select two schools at Lower Secondary and Secondary Levels. The two schools are Shree Kunchipwakal Lower Secondary and Shree Baundeshwor Higher Secondary just outside the main centre of Kathmandu.
- Educational equipment: To improve the educational standards at these schools we have delivered about 50kgs of educational aids. (See picture)
- Extra training for the teachers: We will also improve the standards at these schools by providing funds to retrain teachers and for those Aussie teachers willing to help we will provide direct training in English, Maths and Science.
- Health Awareness: If we can get volunteer Doctors, dentists and nurses we will conduct a health awareness week.
- Scholarships: As an extra, we are providing some incentives for five students starting in 2011 to give them a chance to study further and put their training and skills back into the community. These scholarships include Nursing & Teaching.
- Female Education: An emphasis throughout this program is to provide a more even platform for female students to achieve. By sponsoring female students we overcome some of the cultural attitudes which put more resources from the family to males at the expense of the female child.
Our Aim over the Next Two Years:
- Every child will receive an exercise book, pencil, eraser, ruler and sharpener each year.
- Every Teacher will receive a Kit with stamps, pad, pens, markers, stapler, geometry set etc.
- Teacher programs designed for each subject area. Pre-School, Kindergarten, Years 3-8 Primary, Years 8-12 High School(English, Maths and Science). Once voluntary Australian teachers are found for the programs they will be supplied with equipment to instigate the program at the schools.
- Health awareness program to be organized.
- Scholarships to start January 2011 - 1 x Nursing (Midwifery), 1 x Primary School Teacher, 2 x English High School Teachers (1 Male & 1 Female), 1 x Scholarship to be determined by the respective School Board.