Sixth Form Expedition
Travelling to the top of the world - outdoor education
at its very best. Head of Geography and
Expedition Leader, Anya Starling, reports...
While academic achievement is, and always will be, a fundamental
priority of Plymouth College, extra-curricular enrichment is also
central to the school's educational ethos. Overseas travel is
part of this mix, offering students the opportunity to broaden
their horizons and extend their learning through a whole new set of
experiences.
It was with this in mind that after 12 years we reintroduced the
Sixth Form Expedition and during the recent Easter break ten
students, two teachers and a specialist in travel and expedition
medicine journeyed to the Annapurna region in Nepal. A 10-day
trek into stunning mountain terrain took the group through remote
villages and across high mountain passes, eventually leading to the
4130 metre objective, Annapurna Base Camp. En-route one of the most
memorable views was that from Poon Hill, which, by UK standards
would be a mountain, but nestled into the Annapurna range and
standing at a mere 3000 metres it becomes dwarfed by the
surrounding 7500 and 8000 metre peaks. These peaks came alive in
the soft light of sunrise, warming the pupils' chilled bones and
taking their minds off the uncomfortable pre-breakfast trek!
Undoubtedly travel is becoming increasingly accessible with
distant deserts, jungles and mountain ranges all within 24 hours
reach of the UK. Increased accessibility coupled with classroom
technology means schools have to guarantee expeditions provide
pupils with knowledge and experiences unobtainable on holidays or
in the classroom. The Plymouth College Expedition was no exception
and in collaboration Dr Rosey Davies and the University of Exeter
we were able to combine the rigors of a physical expedition with
some high altitude physiological research. As Dr Davies
explained:
"In layman's terms the increase in altitude gained over the trek
was accompanied by a corresponding decrease in air and oxygen
pressure. This leads to a reduction in blood oxygen levels which
the body attempts to compensate for. The aim of the research was to
investigate the effect that trekking to an altitude of 4130 m
(Annapurna Base Camp) would have on the staff and students' ability
to perform maximal exercise tests at sea level."
Before and immediately after their return from Nepal, all ten
students and the three members of staff visited the Sport and
Health Sciences laboratories at the university to take part in a
number of physical and biochemical tests.
During the expedition, James Moore, Director of Travel Health
Consultancy and team medic, collected physiological data three
times a day which detailed how each member was coping with the
altitude and the effects it was having on their bodies. As a
specialist in Travel and Expedition Medicine, James explained that
the university hoped the information gathered will give scientists
an insight into how a relatively short exposure to altitude might
influence various fitness parameters in adolescents and adults.
The physical experience of being at altitude, coupled with the
increased understanding of how the body compensates, makes this
kind of learning incomparable. This understanding, combined with
the truly magnificent surroundings of the Himalaya, the rich
climbing history and high altitude cultures found in Nepal, turned
the expedition into one of the most exciting classrooms in the
world.
However, there is so much more students gain from a trip such as
this. There are the benefits one gets from working and living as a
team in what was, at times, a stressful, tiring atmosphere. Within
a few days the team were tuned in to looking out for one another,
recognising the importance of each other's personalities, moods and
temperaments during the flow of the expedition. Undoubtedly, the
memories of this trip will stay with the students and teachers for
the rest of their lives. Not only did they develop as
individuals and as a group, they also got the chance to see the
extraordinary landscape and culture of another part of the world.
One of the students summed it up perfectly:
"Beautiful scenery and great people. An awesome experience
full of memories that will stay with me forever."