Hello there. I haven't written for a while, but if I can find the inspiration and have anything that people might find interesting to read, then I'll try and write more often.
I've just recently found the inspiration to start an organisation called Sustainable Expeditions. It started a few days ago when I was writing up a kit list for a sea kayaking expedition. I've wanted to paddle up the Western Isles from Berneray to Lewis for a while now, and since I think I'm the only person mad enough to do it at the end of October, which is the only time I can do it, I'm going to have to do it solo, which will create it's own challenges. So, I was wondering about a few outdoor shops in Edinburgh to try and think if there was anything that I'd forgotten from my kit list, when I saw Peter Storm's One Earth range of clothing which is made with recycled plastic using sustainable methods. Having environmental concerns myself, I decided that it would be a great idea to take a sustainable perspective on the trip, and use it to promote sustainable lifestyles by using sustainable equipment and fuels. For example, I will hopefully be sponsored by companies which have good environmental polices, and be wearing clothes and using equipment that they've given me. I will also be buying food from local suppliers, and cooking using driftwood, cow/sheep dung, and heather.
There is website (www.sustainableexpeditions.org) currently in the making which will have trip plans, photos, video, risk assessments, kit lists, and a blog amongst other things. The idea will be to use website to not only document this trip, but to encourage and document trips in the future. The blog link will go to this site, where I will try to update the it as regularly as possible while on trips.
Enough for now. I'll keep you posted. Please get in touch if you want to ask or tell me anything! Cheers, Tom
