Water - June 2012
years this region was settled and used by humans, but the virgin nature of the region is still vital. Local people have their own traditional land use, which preserves the natural environment. - To strengthen the relation and communication between the participants Due to the facts that the participants had to cope with each other for 23 days (camping and hiking) and that rocky hiking is a risky activity where the participants have to be able to rely on the team, this event was a good possibility to strengthen the relation and communication in the team. The Results and Outcome of the Expedition - Participants got information about Altai region
Figure 3: On the way – Source: Andreas Christoffer Lundegaard (EGEA Copenhagen) Argut river empties into the turquoise Katun
During Altai expedition, we had some excursions and discussions about history and geographical features of Altai region. We focused on some landscape specialties (diversity, glaciers degradation, glacial and tectonic lakes), historical facts (settlement history of the region, petroglyphs) and population aspects (language family, nationalities, etc.).
- Participants strengthened and improved their physical capabilities
We studied:
- Intercultural communication
a) The different types of traditional land use in the Altai region; b) The diversity of Altai landscapes; c) The dynamics of glaciers; the glacier area changes in Katun ridge; d) The different types of lakes; e) The History of settlement and development of the Altai region.
Participants from 9 countries were involved in the Altai Adventure (Austria, Slovakia, Latvia, Denmark, Slovenia, Italy, Germany, Finland and Russia). We lived together in tents for 23 days, talked a lot and discussed a lot – from political and historical issues to daily routine.
After 20 days of heavy hiking across mountains (from 10 to 30 km per day across ragged terrain with almost 25-30 kg at a back) participants were getting stronger and stronger day after day (see figure 3).
Acknowledgements I would like to express my thanks to all the organizers and participants of this great event (see figure 4): Aino Kirillova, Yury Zyablov, Sergey Zworygin (organizers, EGEA Izhevsk), Andrea Giunti, Stanislav Ruman, Marek Krajčuška, Daniela Adamcova, Jana Butorova, Michal Ignaták (EGEA Bratislava), Andreas Christoffer Lundegaard (EGEA Copenhagen), Liisa Kallajoki, Eva-Maria Tillder (EGEA Helsinki), Lea Ružič (EGEA Ljubljana), Sandra Juzane (EGEA Riga), Nils Ellwanger (EGEA Utrecht), Susanne Hanger, Verena Steidl (EGEA Wien). It would have been hard to get through the expedition and to fulfill our program successfully without the support of all members of the Altai Team!
References 1. Shahgedanova, M. 2003. The Physical Geography of Northern Eurorasia. Oxford University press: p.65. 2. Wikipedia, 2010. Altai Mountains. Viewed: 12th October, 2011: http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Altai_Mountains
Figure 4: Altai Team – Source: Andreas Christoffer Lundegaard (EGEA Copenhagen)
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