About Sustainable Expeditions...
I've just recently changed the structure of this page, changing from a wee bit of text saying some stuff about SusExp to an interview style set of questions and answers, as I think it deals with the topic more effectively.
What is the SusExp Philosophy?
The philosophy behind SusExp is to do with taking responsibility for our actions. The idea is that in any developed place or country, people have disposable time and income. With those, people are inevitably going to take part in leisure activities. So, why not do those activities with the minimum impact on the environment?
SusExp is not about taking a purist attitude, for example, if we cannot get a hold of wooden boats, then plastic boats will do fine. What SusExp is about is doing what you can, organising and running expeditions with the aim of promoting sustainable lifestyles. SusExp does this by using as much sustainable equipment and fuel alternatives to their less environmentally friendly counterparts, for example:
> Sustainable Equipment (for example, a Kelly Kettle and a fishing line/hook)
> Sustainable Fuels (for example, cooking using driftwood and heather, and either catching food (i.e. fish) or buying from local suppliers - see Sponsors for more info)
How did it start?
I've wanted to paddle up the Western Isles for years! But just the paddling would be too simple. If I planned to do 25-mile days, it would be over in around 6 days! So I wanted to do something more. I've always found bush craft type skills really attractive and interesting. Things like techniques for building fires and cooking on open fires.
So where do you get your inspiration from? How did you start paddling?
I grew up on the Isle of Barra in the Outer Hebrides, and so was surrounded by the sea. The sea is a very intimate part of everyone that lives here - it provides our lifeline to the mainland, and up till recently, was the main source of employment. We are on the edge of an amazing mass of water which rears it merciless power quite frequently upon the rocks, which is were I love to spend time. I was introduced to kayaking when I was about 10 by a guy called Nick Hodson. He was an inspiring character who took us to the wee tidal race flowing in to / out of a sea loch, and took us round Maol Domhnaich to see the Basalt dykes intruding into the Lewisian Gneiss. The caves are an inspiration in themselves, all mainly Basalt dykes as mentioned, and they litter the east coast of the western isles, offering adventures for the young seals and young paddlers! I only paddled for a few years (3 or 4) then was introduced to Toppers - a brilliant polypropylene sailing dinghy, that we (adolescents) could bang about and jump off - so much fun! It was only in 2004 when I phoned Chris Denehy who runs Clearwater Paddling to ask if I could go for a wee paddle, and he asked me if I could help out, that I took up kayaking again. The next academic year after that at Uni, I had a wee dabble with river paddling. It's been a beautiful relationship ever since.
In particular, I love sea kayaking. I love the sense of adventure it gives, the ability to get to different islands and set up camp, the ability to get right into caves, the silent nature that allows you to leave wildlife undisturbed, the self sufficiency that the storage allows, and much more. The solitude of solo paddles, or the closeness you feel paddling with a group of friends. The closeness to the elements, the and changing nature of the heartless sea. The discipline that is required to navigate using charts, maps, compasses, buoyage lights. The adrenalin of rock hopping, tidal races, overfalls. Sea kayaking is truly unique in what it gives it's people. The level of personal performance which makes you feel like you could cope with almost anything the elements throw at you, and the harsh reality that you can't!
What motivated you to start SusExp in particular? Why not just go paddling - who cares about the environment...
I am motivated to do it because I feel guilty and saddened about the effects that humans have had, are having, and are going to have on the environment. I'd like to make and effort to preserve our wilderness environments, by both leaving them as we found them, and acting responsibly. I think it's quite a depressing thought at how greedy man is, and how relentless that greed is. Humans have caused so much harm to our planet! I wish I could live a care free life, as I'm sure many do, but I can't.
But do you not think that what one or a few people do is pretty insignificant?
Yes, but it makes me feel better if I feel like I'm doing my bit. I know that China and India have booming populations and are going to have huge associated green house gas emissions that will make whatever SusExp does irrelevant, but if I do my bit then it cures the sadness slightly!
Do you not think that sustainable and expeditions in the same sentence is a juxtaposition?
No, not necessarily, in some cases it is, and in some cases it isn't. Probably most of today's 'expeditions' are sustainable - how could they be, if you are paddling in a place with no food/shelter? I haven't done any calculations on it, but you really can't make a general statement saying expeditions either are or aren't sustainable. For example, I am pretty sure that I could take my boat down to the water 100m away - pack it with my locally produced food (porridge oats, vegetables, meat, milk, eggs, herbs) - head off with some firewood from the trees in the garden on a camping trip, and over the course of the expedition, use less energy than I would have done if I had stayed at home.
On the same theme, you say on your expeditions page that you'd like to paddle in various places all around the world. Does this not involve flying off on a jumbo jet and hence knock any sustainability out of the question?
If it was as simple as that, yes, but it's not. When I go to these places, I will be taking as many forms of transport practically possible that aren't flying. And I won't be going just for the expedition, they are trips that I would have been on. SusExp is really about what you do on the expedition, as this would be the basis for someone in the real life situation of having to survive on what you have in your immediate surroundings.
Do you see SusExp carrying on after this expedition up the Western Isles?
Maybe, maybe not. It's not something I've considered a huge amount. There is definitely a market for people doing things like this, like survival courses in the wilderness and bush craft skills. It's really this that I love and am passionate. A few people contacted me suggesting bringing education into the agenda, which was again something I hadn't considered a huge amount. But if it goes anywhere, then I think this will be it. For example, travelling (paddling?) round the UK visiting schools on the way (like Barry Shaw, Phil, and Harry Whelan did in 2005) sounds great. Another route I could see it taking is if other people would like to start running on the same theme, it would be good to see them associated with SusExp, but who knows.
If you have any ideas for things that we could do on the website, or if you would like to know more about the expeditions, or if you would like to get involved then please get in touch, or if you want to get in touch for any other reason please e-mail info@sustainableexpeditions.org
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