INDIA SELECTION CAMP
CAMP 4 COMPLETE
Dates: 29th of November to the 10th of December 2009
Our Young Explorers:
Top - left to right: Catherine Meyer, 20 yrs, USA / Mark Thompson, 16yrs, Australia / Conor O'Sullivan,18yrs, USA / Reuben Foster, 18ans, Afrique du Sud / Paridhi Rustogi, 14yrs, India / Valentina Marzola, 15yrs, Italy
Middle - left to right: Pawel Chmielowski, 18yrs, Poland / Lucie Knor, 16yrs, Germany / Maya Ivanova, 19yrs Bulgaria / Manuel Löffler, 19yrs, Germany / Florence Beffa, 17yrs, Switzerland / Maria Florencia Escudero, 17yrs, Argentina
Bottom - left to right: Shu Ting Chen,17yrs, China / Monde Sitole, 19yrs, South Africa / Elena Kiseleva, 19yrs, Russia / Dominic Parker, 18yrs, England
BLOGS FROM OUR YOUNG EXPLORERS
9th of December 2009- Selection Day for our Young Explorers
After 10 days of varied activities in the picturesque valley of the Pay d'Enhaut in Switzerland, 16 Young Explorers pack their bags and return to their respective countries around the world. Eight of them have been chosen to attend the Pangaea Expedition in January 2010 as Mike Horn and the exploration sailboat Pangaea sail into Indian territories to explore the biodiversity and the effects on humanity on the Ganges River.
The eight selected Young Explorers are:
Reuben Foster, 18yrs, South Africa / Paridhi Rustogi, 14yrs, India / Mark Thompson, 16yrs, Australia / Lucie Knor, 16yrs, Germany / Manuel Löffler, 19yrs, Germany / Valentina Marzola, 15yrs, Italy / Florence Beffa, 17yrs, Switzerland / Catherine Meyer, 20 yrs, USA.
"This was the best experience of my life. I want to say 'thank you' to the Mike Horn Team who have gaven me the chance of being here. This is the end of the road but also the beginning of another. I'm very excited to start working and to begin to make a difference to the world around me." Maria Florencis Escudero, 17, Argentina."
Mike Horn and his team are now preparing for the next leg of the Pangaea Expedition. The program 'EXPLORE-LEARN-ACT' for India is in it's final preparations and promises to be a amazing adventure. Our young explorers will be witnesses of the remarkable contrasts between man and Nature as they travel into the Delta of the Ganges River.
YEP 4 INDIA Selection Camp Video Gallery 
8th of December 2009 - Day 10 - Blog written by Maya and Shu Ting
All the good things come to an end and it`s our turn to give you some information about our expreiences. It`s really hard for us to explain everything that goes on on our mind after those two days of intense acitivities and hard work of the raid! We think we won`t be lying to say that it was by far the most exhausting and at the same time enriching experience most of us have ever had.
16 young explorers were divided into three groups.We all set off from Hotel De Ville in Château d’Oex and our first objective was to find our mountain guide waiting for us at the first checkpoint. Then we had 10 more checkpoints to reach for the day and most of them were actually pretty challanging to go to and pass afterwards. When we reached each one of them, the team was waiting for us to assist us to go through serious physical work or just to do some extreme acitivity for fun- those included abseiling, obstacle course and ziplining. All of that fun cheered us up a little and we were always curious about what lied ahead. It was all about teamwork and high spirits to go forward! When we were doing obstacle course,we not only needed strength, but also teamwork. With these factors,we would not be able to finish it. We walked for more than 10 hours in the first day. It was really hard for everyone to keep climbing the mountains and walking, but all of us keep struggling and challenging ourselves. We can not remember how many times we fell down,what we know is that we will never give up. On the way to the hut, when we looked at the sky, our hearts were moved. So many stars were shining in the sky,it seemed that they want to encourage us do not give up. The stars were so great and impressive that we were moved deeply. Thus, we should not let such a beautiful sky disappear. Some groups arrived to the hut on the top of the mountain after midnight, all members were tired and hungry.After a short sleep,our second day raid began at 7 :30. In the morning, the air was so fresh and the views were so great,we began to look for the other 8 points.We did kayaking and rope walking today.All of this activities were so interesting,we all enjoyed ourselves in it.
At about three o’clock, after about eight hours’ walking, all three groups finished the raid. The whole Mike Horn team was standing at the entrance of the hotel waiting for us, we were really happy to find out that this is actually the first selection camp where everybody finished the raid. It was not an easy task but thanks to the Mike Horn team, the guides and most of all to our team members we all achieved our initial goal of completing the selection camp. :D
YEP 4 CAMP INDIA DAY 11
6th of December 2009 -Day 8- Blog written by Lucie and Pawel
Today was less sporty than the previous days, but that does not mean that it was worse.
It started off with a presentation right after breakfast. The speaker was Dr. Roswitha … from the University of Munich and she told us a lot about India, mainly geographic facts and natural hazards occurring in the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Delta in north-eastern India and Bangladesh, the aim of our expedition.
After the first part of the presentation we were asked to prepare a survey and information strategy that we would eventually introduce to the local people to spread and collect information about the importance of river protection and mangrove conservation in that region. We came up with very interesting ideas about creating awareness, such as media (TV, Internet), education, posters, brochures etc., in different communities, as well as different social backgrounds. We had to think critically about what information we were going to obtain and how we were going to do that.
After having finished that task, we got back to our work on the video clips advertising Pangaea Project. We worked on that very long, until 10 p.m. but it was worth it- some of the videos were funny, some interesting, but all of them had a great way to get as many people involved in the project as possible. Shooting and cutting our clips was a great new experience for most of us who had not done that before. It was really rewarding to see the smiles on the faces of the Mike Horn Teams and our friends when they watched the videos.
Now we are all preparing mentally for the Raid that is going to start tomorrow afternoon, trying to get as much rest as possible. Wish us good luck!
YEP 4 CAMP INDIA DAY 10
5th of December 2009 - Day 7 - Blog written by Elena and Mark.
Today was arguably one of the most anticipated days so far on the fourth Pangaea Selection Camp, and it did not disappoint! After a 40 minute drive to the base of the Les Diablerets Glacier, during which many young explorers stole some much needed sleep, we were given our climbing equipment and prepared ourselves for the physically challenging day ahead. We were confronted with knee-deep snow in our ascent to the peak, but continued to push ourselves until we reached the top. With the picturesque view of the Swiss Alps unfolded before us, we celebrated our accomplishments by enjoying a picnic at the peak 3000m above sea level. Before commencing our descent, we practised our rescuing skills by simulating a fall down a cravasse in the glacier. Led by our trusty moutain guides, we hauled each other to safety, with many sore muscles resulting.
Upon our return we were set with a mission to make a short advertisement for the Pangaea Project. Equipped with cameras and our imagination, we began the early stages of filming and will complete our advertisements tomorrow.
Later in the day we were paid a visit by four previous Young Explorers, who shared with us their advice and encouragement.
Today’s climb to the glacier further instilled our love for the environment with the view of the mountains reminding us of the beauty of this planet. We also developed a trust in each other during the rescue simulation, putting our safety in our fellow explorers’ hands. These exercises also prepared us for the highly speculated upcoming raid. The visit by the previous explorers showed us how the YEP community is a tight family, one with a common goal of EXPLORE, LEARN, ACT
YEP 4 CAMP INDIA DAY 6
4th of December 2009 - Day 6 - Blog written by Catherine and Monde.
It’s not every day that you get to start off your morning peering down a 50 meter rock face, but that’s how day 6 of the YEP selection camp began. We were taught the essentials of abesailing and got to test out our new skills during an adventurous start to the day. As we rapelled down the rockface the breathatking panerama before us confirmed in ourselves a sense of higher possibility. We felt the exhileration that comes from pushing ourselves beyond our comfort zones, and took in the beauty of the mountains that surrounded us. This experience was accompanied by an informative lecture and interactive activities regarding wilderness first aid. We learned how to protect ourselves in the tightest of situations, even learning how to craft a makeshift headboard out of backpacks.
We continued to be inspired to push ourselves to new limits as we completed the second and final day of the Mayo clinic testing in the afternoon. The most challenging of the tests was a 12 minute run, in which we had to run the furthest distance possible within the alloted time.
Several push ups, sit ups and wall sits later we were glad to get a chance to sit and catch our breath as we took part in an interactive lecture by Geberit about the significance of water management. In our discussion we were challenged to think about the ways in which water impacts our lives in some of the most unsuspecting ways.
Our day concluded with presentation by Petzel where we learned about the basics of climbing gear and were briefed about our visit to a glacier tomorrow. From repelling down rockface to endurance running, it was clear that what we took away from today was more than just sharpening our athletic skills. As we pushed ourselves we were reminded that obstacles are only limiting if we allow them to be. Instead we must see them as step ladders to even greater summits. As Mike Horn himself says, ‘’ the impossible (only) exists because we don’t try to make it possible .‘’
YEP 4 CAMP INDIA DAY 5
3rd of December 2009 - Day 5 - Blog written by Paridhi and Manuel.
Someone once said and we quote, « Don’t wait for your ship to come in – swim out to it ». That is exactly how we young YEPers started our fifth day at the Indian Expedition Selection Camp at Château d’oex. – Swimming.
But have you ever asked yourself how you’ll go to a swimming pool without any directions or road signs. Sometimes you don’t know where to go, especially in life. Those times when you’re left alone in a plain white field of snow amid the mountains. Sometimes you need some guidiance.
After some food after swimming we had some food for thought and learned how to cope with such a situation. Well actually we got a map and a compass and with the help of the mountain guides figured how to get around town. This was our ordeal. One that was entertaining and fulfilling.
Explore, Learn and Act. This is the correct approach to solve any problem - big or small in life. And from the Pangaea motto we drew our inspiration to complete the task at hand. While one group was finding their way another group was running for their lives. Well that’s just exaggerating. But we started our test today with the guys from the Mayo Clinic who came especially from the US to help with the physical and medical leg of the selection camp.
All work and no play apparently makes Jack a dull boy. To counter all dullness us kids had an interesting dance session in the evening inside the Hotel dè Ville with groovy music and dimmed lights. Fun !! This was followed by a sumptious meal and an informative presentation from Wenger. You know the Swiss army knives.
And we also collected our ideas for a YEP knife adapted to our needs and sturdy enough for the rough conditions in India at the same time.
So adventure ; here we come!
YEP 4 CAMP INDIA DAY 4
2nd of December 2009 - Day 4 - Blog written by Valentina and Reuben
Today was our third day on the Pangaea selection camp. It was an early start with a 1 hour and 15 minute trip to lake Léman. Despite the exciting activities lying ahead, we did not miss the opportunity to enjoy and admire the tranquility of the open water and beauty of the fresh snow on the mountain tops.
We were briefed with all the necessary information and terminology. We were then divided into groups of four and each group was accompanied by a skipper. We received the basic practical training on the water while wearing our life jackets and Panerai sponsored hats.
Our group ( Reuben , Valentina, Catherine and Pawel) was accompanied by Raffael-a previous young explorer on the New Zealand expedtion. We got on well and had lots of fun taking photos and just enjoying the sailing in general.
After lunch at a local Pizza resturant, where we had fun exchanging stories and jokes, we made our way back to the harbour where we were due to begin our regatta. After re-rigging our boats we took off for the start line.
It was interesting to learn the rules of an offical reggatta and was enjoyable to sail competitively against the other candidates. We did not have much sailing experience in our group but despite this fact, our group rose to the challange and through organised teamwork we managed to sieze a narrow victory over the other groups.
After sun-downers in the Yacht club and a few thank-yous we made our back to Château d’Oex where we were introduced to the Mayo sports clinic team who we will be working with tommorrow.
Over all, the day was an enriching experience and another great opportunity to test ourselves as well as get to know each other better.
YEP 4 CAMP INDIA DAY 3
1st of December 2009 - Day 3 - Blog written by Dominic and Florencia
With as early a start as ever, we were up at 6am and off straight to the local gym for an introduction to some of the fitness training to come. We played some basketball and some other team-building activities. After that we returned to the hotel and had breakfast and a meeting in the conference room where two driving instructors from Mercedes were waiting. Our day was centered around eco driving, where we learnt about everything from car safety, design and efficiency, to ways of drastically decreasing fuel consumption. But perhaps what produced the most excitement among the group so far, was seeing what happens when the traction control, or ESP (Electrical Stability Program) is switched off, where the guys from Mercedes took us for an adrenaline fueled trip around a deserted car park and down the road from where we are staying, made that bit more spectacular by the stunning scenery blanketed in fresh snow.
As I write this now, I have just come from a dinner finished off superbly by the chance to sample some of the foods, well actually mainly sweets and chocolate, brought to Switzerland from all corners of the planet by the other YEPers. After which we had the chance to sit down with Mike and have a real in-depth conversation where we could all voice ideas of future projects that we might together focus on after the India expedition, something he clearly feels particularly strongly about, making it clear that it is not intended that we just go home after a this and forget about it but rather that we become active parts of the PANGAEA community as a whole.
Tomorrow promises to be a cold day but one which i am personally looking forward to particularly, which is sailing on Lac Leman. So that will be land and sea transport sorted. Next I'll have to persuade Mike to sort out some flying lessons!
YEP 4 CAMP INDIA DAY 2
Blog from Connor and Florence - Day 2 of the Selection Camp
Independence is a strong theme we're happy to agree with in this camp. After waking up on our own accord at 6:00, we prepared for our first venture to the groupe E hydro-electric powerplant (built 1921). Upon reaching our destination we watched a short film on the history and purpose of the eco-friendly plant.After we toured the plant and learned about the plants ways of operation. It's nice to see such a power plant that has very little effect on the environment. It somewhat calms you down, makes you happy. After a very good lunch Dimitry and Benedict gave us some tips how to use a camera and how to take good pictures. It was really interesting and we learned a lot about
it. Later we went outside to do a "photoshooting" and the photos were beautiful with the snow. Now we just had a very interesting presentation about Nespresso where we learned more about how coffee is made and about the aluminium used in it's production. The atmosphere here in the camp is great and everything is just amazing. It is just the second day and everybody gets on well with the others. Outside it's still snowing so tomorrow the morning
exercices will be very funny in the snow! =)
YEP 4 CAMP INDIA DAY 1
Monday the 30th of November 2009 - Day 1 Arrival - The 4th Selection Camp begins in Château-d'Oex!
On Sunday the 29th, 16 young adults from all corners of the world began to arrive one-by-one at Geneva Airport in Switzerland. Mike Horn also arrived in Geneva yesterday and had the opportunity to meet the young explorers in the evening. While his sailboat 'Pangaea' awaits in Kuala Lumpur for his return, Mike Horn is looking forward to getting to know the youths as he participates in the camp inbetween his other obligations throughout Europe.
The youths were informed in October of their great chance to be accepted amongst almost 300 applications to travel to Switzerland and attend the 10 day Selection Camp. The camp, as its name suggests, selects outstanding youngsters to join Mike Horn during his current 4 year environmental expedition, named the Pangaea Expedition. Throughout the 10 days the youths will engage in intensive courses learning about state-of-the-art technology, sustainability and the environment, fitness and health and communication skills which will prepare them to meet the challenges of the Pangaea Expedition and form them as ambassadors to communicate their experiences to their families and peers around the world.
A busy time lies ahead for the youths. The first day starts off with a visit to a local electrical plant where they will learn about renewable energies, followed with group discussions and film and photography skills.
Updates and photos will be posted daily as we follow closely the youths and begin assessments to see who will be chosen for the next leg of the Pangaea Expedition in India.