By Callum Baptie
In summer 2018 Stirling RAG (Raising and Giving Society) will be sending out two teams of adventurous students to Iceland and to Nepal to complete challenge treks all in the name of raising money for worthy charities.
Both teams will be inviting everyone, from freshers to fourth-years to join the cause, so the only question left is: which trek is for you?
Everest Base Camp
During the EBC trek you will travel from Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, deep into the Himalayas towards the camp on the world’s highest mountain.
This is certainly one of the most formidable and challenging treks that a student can undertake, but don’t be put off – the challenge organisers in Nepal have the skills to get you through. And the reward for taking on this challenge will be great – the views while in the Himalayas are spectacular, with truly awe-inspiring scenery around every corner.
If that wasn’t enough, then the achievement of having conquered the world’s highest mountain makes this trip truly unmissable.
The leader for this trek will be myself (Callum). I’m a fourth year Criminology and Philosophy student and was part of the 2016 team that went to Peru for the Machu Picchu trek (a trek I’d highly recommend, if you ever get the opportunity!)
This trek will be in aid of the charity ‘Action Against Hunger’ who work towards a better future by providing nutrition to countries in need across the world, including Nepal in the aftermath of the 2015 earthquake. To find out more about the charity you can click here.
Iceland Fire and Ice Trek
This equally spectacular trek takes you on a 6-day journey across the mountains of Iceland, passing glaciated lakes and even active volcanoes!
While on this trek you will take in the spectacular natural beauty of Iceland, while battling the formidable terrain and long days in order to complete your challenge. The Fire and Ice trek is certainly a fantastic way to spend a week of your summer.
Your lovely leader for this trek will be Megan, a second year Ecology student. She’s well experienced after spending last summer trekking in Honduras’ cloud forest – you’re sure to be in safe hands on her team!
This Trek will be in aid of the Meningitis Research Foundation, a charity which strives to fund research aimed at fighting meningitis and septicaemia in the UK and beyond. If you want to find out more about this charity click here.
What to do next:
If you want to find out more about either of these challenges, then please come along to one of the information evenings that are being hosted on campus by your challenge leaders, the charities, and the Choose and Challenge teams over the next few weeks.
Iceland Fire and Ice: September 21 at 18:30 in C.2V2
Everest Base Camp: October 2 at 18:30 in C.2V2
If you can’t make it or have missed the events, don’t worry – there is still plenty of time to sign up!
Please contact Stirling RAG via our Facebook Page (here you can also find events pages for both meetings and info on all the other events that RAG will be organising over the next year) or email ragstirling@gmail.com and we will fill you in on everything you need to know about the trips before signing up.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
The Features section of Brig, Stirling University's student newspaper.
Editors: Elizabeth Ross & Warren Hardie
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