BY REBECCA DALE
For Wild Northerner
Mongolia: a country of deserts, mountains, and some of the most welcoming people on this earth. Who better to explore this part of the world with than the Outdoor Adventure Leadership students at Sudbury’s Laurentian University?
In May 2017, a group of 18 ADVL students, accompanied by their professors, will take on the adventure of a lifetime as they venture to the other side of the planet in a quest to conquer mountains and deliver humanitarian aid. The team will spend their month-long expedition travelling to different remote communities to learn about the different cultures and traditions as well as offer support by helping to build water treatment projects and teach children about hygiene and health. They will spend the other half of their time in the Altai Mountains of Western Mongolia, learning about mountaineering and attempting to summit peaks in the region. A new experience for many of these students, they will push themselves to the limit as they explore the remote, yet beautiful area.
Students have been working hard to prepare for this adventure. The planning process began this past spring as the idea was pitched to the group and was accepted. The team has been working diligently to secure donations, plan transportation, arrange food, gather equipment, and design humanitarian projects.
As part of their program requirements, the ADVL students must complete an Expedition Planning course in their third year. In past years, the expedition is typically a multi-week canoe trip into the Canadian wilderness. This particular cohort of students decided to push their limits and test their planning skills by undertaking an international expedition. They have received an incredible amount of support from the local adventure community with donations being made to aid their cause.
Although there is still a long way to go in the planning process, it will be only a few short months until the team lands in Ulaanbataar, Mongolia on the first leg of their journey.
The team is still looking to gather medical supplies, school supplies (books, pencils), and piping for the water treatment facility. If you are interested in supporting this incredible adventure, or would like to hear more about their project, contact Rebecca Dale at [email protected] for more information.
From Laurentian to Mongolia