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Before the expedition departed we asked the team members a few questions...
Why did you decide to participate in the Nepal expedition?
What are you most looking forward to?
Is there anything you are concerned/nervous about?
Anything else that you want to mention?
As we follow their journey over the next three weeks it will be interesting to see how their expectations meet the real experience >>
Tina Aukland
I decided to participate in the Nepal expedition because I enjoy the outdoors. After walking the overland with Lucy Bell in the last Christmas holidays, I decided I’d like to do more bushwalking. I also am interested in foreign cultures so the Nepal trip was perfect for me.
I’m most looking forward to the mountains, the amazing views and meeting the people in the group.
I’m a little nervous about how I will react to altitude and also keeping track of my gear and being organised!!
Lucy Bell
I decided to participate on the Nepal expedition because I wanted to experience a totally different culture to mine, and to be amongst incredible mountains and scenery.
I really enjoy hiking; so going on a trekking expedition is an ideal way to experience the country for me.
I am most looking forward to the view we will see when we get to the top of the mountain on our trek!
I am slightly nervous about trying to fit in to a different way of life, but I am sure I will have an incredible trip!
James Smallwood
1. I wanted to climb a mountain & see Nepal
2. Views of the mountains & experiencing Nepalese culture
3. Diarrhoea
Dominic Nguyen
I’m really looking forward to the cultural aspect of the trip. Nepal is such a spiritual place and I’m excited to visit the cultural landmarks and meet the people of a world drastically different to our own in many ways.
Ella Johnson
I really want to travel to the Himalayas and trekking in Nepal sounds awesome. Bit of an 'I survived school' celebration as well as spending some quality time with my friends.
Seeing really pretty mountains and spending a month with my friends.
If I had to pick something I was nervous about, it would be flying into Lukla, and getting altitude sickness.
Ellie Wivell
The chance to see some of the most beautiful landscape in the world was something that I have wanted to do for a long time so this trip was an opportunity that I jumped at.
I am looking forward to meeting Nepalese people and experiencing their culture, providing relief in the wake of the earthquakes, making new friends within the group and spending days surrounded by stunning mountains.
Obviously there is always an element of risk when travelling and since we are trekking to high altitudes, I am hoping that I will not be too affected by this.
James Roberts
It’s just such a rare opportunity to travel somewhere like Nepal with such an wonderful group of people, and one that I feel will stay with us for a long time.
I am so very excited to simply experience a culture and environment completely different from anything I have experienced previously – this will be my first journey out of Australia!
Of course there are a great deal of little anxieties that go with any trip like this, but they are far outweighed by the excitement of the trip itself.
Finally, hopefully I survive without avocados for three weeks.
Max Keating
I decided to undertake this expedition as I thought it would be a great opportunity to visit and explore a nation very different to my own. I have also always enjoyed hiking, so being able to walk in some of the world’s greatest mountains seemed like an unmissable opportunity for me!
There are many things that I look forward too, such as climbing Gokyo Ri, which sounds scary and exciting as I have never been at such great altitude before. I also look forward to meeting many new people on this trip, as I do not know most of the people on the trip, and I look forward to meeting the locals as well.
I am slightly concerned about how my body is going to cope with altitude, as I haven't had much experience with it before. I also seem to be very prone to tendinitis, so that may also be an issue for me on this trek.
Overall, everything sounds very exciting, and I can't wait to leave :)
Sam Strong
I'm a fiend for adventure. The idea of heading off to Nepal just after I finish exams definitely excites me. The trip sounds great and it'll be a pleasure to share the experience with Doug and the rest of the group.
I'm looking forward to finally seeing a country I've heard so much about. The trek sounds amazing, and being immersed in the Nepalese culture will be a real eye opener.
The flight into Lukla sounds nerve racking... I think I am most scared about getting sick and having diarrhoea on trek.
Overall I’m just very excited to see how everything goes.
Beth Van De Kamp
I decided to go on the Nepal trek because It sounded like a great opportunity to go overseas, challenge and improve my fitness and meet new people. It's also a once in a lifetime chance to trek through the Everest region!
I'm most looking forward to meeting the locals and experiencing their culture, learning new things and seeing the incredible views first hand.
I'm most worried about finding my Dad in New Delhi airport afterwards if our phones don't work! And the airport.. I shouldn't have youtubed that.
Celsey Adams
Why did you decide to participate in the Nepal expedition?
I decided to participate on the Nepal expedition as I thought it would be a really good way to celebrate the end of 14 years of school. I have always wanted to visit Nepal and the Himalayas because the scenery looks super impressive!
What are you most looking forward to?
The trek, the Nepalese culture and people, and the pretty mountains.
Is there anything you are concerned/nervous about?
Landing in one of the world’s most dangerous airports! (Lukla) .. but a bit excited too.
Doug Grubert
Doug works at Launceston Church Grammar School where his teaching roles have been diverse. Whether he's performing science demonstrations for children in Prep or teaching pre-Tertiary subjects like Physical Science and Outdoor Leadership, Doug loves his job. This year's trip will be the fifth expedition for students that Doug has led to Nepal and the third in which he has collaborated with Expedition Class. It comes as no surprise that Doug rates experiential learning as his favourite aspect of the teaching profession. "The personal growth that students undergo during a three week expedition is unlike anything I see in any other aspect of education. Helping students to escape the classroom and getting them to learn about the world through personal experience makes you feel privileged as a teacher".
Sue Keating (no photo... yet)
Sue has a love of travelling which began with a trek in Nepal in 1989, both in eastern Nepal and the Gokyo area. She has cycled in many countries including Australia, across the USA, through Vietnam, Cambodia and Bhutan, and trekked in Europe and Patagonia. Sue has worked as a doctor in remote areas of Australia as a GP, an emergency doctor, and as an obstetrician. She is now an obstetrician and gynaecologist in Hobart.
