No Spot way maker

I have come to understand some of the thoughts in my mind. The 8848 trip is a journey for me, for the memory and the passion that will last in my heart. For this reason I wish to stay connected to the source and as such have made the choice NOT to press my SPOT marker to highlight my place on Google maps.

I will update after the trip, with some diary points and perhaps a short piece of media.

Thanks

D

Counting down

Counting down arriving in Kathmandu in less than one week. Touch down in Nepal 3rd March 2012. See Twitter PLE_AND_EA and Facebook DARREN CLARKSON-KING for updates.

Chasing Butterflies

Since winning the funding from Berghaus for a trip of a life time, the 8848 descent, many other people have approached me with the offer of products. Some I have accepted with care and understanding others I have quietly rejected.

I have been riddled with self doubt, an unconscious tugging at my heart. For me this expedition is not about the promotion of brands. It is not even at the same level of other expeditions I have done. I have dreamed about this expedition for over 10 years. With a cause and a reason others are willing to pay for the trip. Its not a hand out, and I dont see it as a job. Whilst I will be looking for the 'pure' in all aspects of the trip. I know that many feel I have stained any notion of a personal pure, with marketing and brands on line to promote the trip.

Sponsorship in all its disguises is a costume I hate to dress in. The fit is not right and I look foolish. Like a homeless Santa dressed but soiled in the week between Xmas and New Year. In the past I have cut ties with those that have assisted me, because I dont believe in the values of the brand.

Things have not changed, not now, although I have to fight the impressions others have about me and my acceptance of sponsorship. Many see it like a contract with the devil or acceptance of sweets from strangers. I see parts of the sponsorship game like this, but I see the flip side. The loving family that supports its children to grow. Thats what it is all about. That is the golden fleece. I have been beating myself up about it for too long and it took a conversation with Doug Ammons for me to see the truth of it all. This trip, like so many more is simply the quest of children chasing butterflies in the garden of life. Chances slip away in the breeze and we must run after what we want – with care. Not too strong to harm ourselves or others along the way.

I have included some of the conversation points below. 

These appear as brief marks, without the back and forth of the dialogue.

[I think the statements from Doug pin the feeling I have in a way that is clear, without my usual weird tangents.]

'Well, don't beat yourself up! [...].'

'In the face of success, don't take a hammer to your toes!'

'All my film trips were sponsored in some similar way and the thing is, its
a truism that one gets out of them what one works for, even if they are
"compromised" in some purist sense.'


'I think it's more a question of keeping the lines clear. So plan, prepare,
and make it into the trip you always wished for. it's an opportunity for
growth and change, not a negative!'

'This is a gift, and I'm certain you will use that gift to great purpose
internally.'

The days are ticking away, soon to Nepal and the expedition will start in full force. That is when I will know the truth of it all, the dark stretches of the night, the lone paddler in the rapids. One boat, one paddle stroke, one mind.

Om Shanti

Daz

Providing skills and education

It has been missed by many who are following the growth of the 8848 descent. I have also neglected to tell people as a priority about the work that will run on back of my descent. Now it seems only just and right to talk more about the plan.

During the 8848 trip I will be in some of the most remote villages in Nepal. Poverty is all around. It has been the aim of the trip that I will support the local villages. I will venture to find young men and women who show the willingness and ability to move to Kathmandu and train to be river and trek guides. Myself in conjunction with Pure Land Expeditions and Elements Adventure will support these children through the offer of paid education, accomadation and living expenses in Kathmandu. We will train them up as guides and offer them work when they leave school. This is a long term plan. It is no short term fix.

Providing skills and education to even just one young person allows them a different future, one away from the rural life. Just one young man or woman from the village who is able to earn money and have a career path outside the village will enable funds to be sent home, for medical supplies, village hydro, clean water etc. Just one person sharing wages means so much to so many.

This is not a charity.

Keeping it dry

For the trip it has been hard to choose the correct dry bags, It would seem a simple answer. Sadly I have found this to be difficult. I have looked at weight, size and shapes of hundred of bags, to do the right thing.

I will be using 2 bags in the rear of my boat, one will carry the sleeping bag, whilst the other will carry that days food and spare clothing.

In the front of the boat I will carry a futher bag of food, whilst on the centre step plate I will carry a further bag with 1st Aid. On my person I will carry a bag with my SPOT and money in.

For this I have settled on the range from Over Board, perfect in both shape and size for all the jobs I need of them.

The 2012 Lecture series takes off with a trip to Explorers  Connect. 

 

Plymouth Explorers - 1st February 2012

on 1st Feb 2012 Venue: Treasury Café-Bar-Restaurant, Catherine Street, Royal Parade
Entry: £4 (or £15 pa)
Type: Networking

Event

The evening will be very interesting with a topic that hasn't been explored yet! Our guest speaker Daz is planning to Kayak down Everest, a challenge that should not be undertaken lightly. Daz will be introducing himself and his previous adventure history then taking us through the expedition plan.

This will be a very unique evening for Plymouth Explorers.

This is a great  opportunity to talk to like-minded people; so come along, invite your friends and join our community. Joining will bring you plenty of opportunities and benefits.

Treasury Café-Bar-Restaurant, Catherine Street, Royal Parade,
Plymouth, Devon. PL1 2AD
Wednesday 1st of February from 18:30 until 20:30

The talk will begin at 7pm.

Over the past 20 years Darren Clarkson King has kayaked some of the world's most challenging rivers and countless classic descents. He is a writer and has just finished the text for White Water Nepal (3rd Ed), a guidebook to the rivers of Nepal with Peter Knowles.

For more information about Darren please click here:

Fast and light

I have been thinking about the rescue gear I will be taking on this solo trip. A full pin kit and large throwline seems a little over the top. Who will throw me the line if I get in trouble? How will I sent a 3:1 system?

For the trip it seems the main reason for the line is as a simple light option for moving my boat around on portages. I know that people will not understand the reason why we choose to rivers solo and the way we need to look at the rescue gear, but this is of no concern at the moment.

I have chosen to take the HORNET bag from Nookie. I have many bags that I could use, from HF, NRS and Wilderness Systems. The Hornet, due to its compact size and lightweight nature is the key winner.

 Hornet

18m throw length
8mm floating line with core
9kN load strength
Quick and accurate throw
Compact & light mini bag with Enduromesh contrast drain
Foam wall buoyancy
Failsafe dual release closure with Velcro
Reinforced bag base
Retro reflective piping and graphics
Anti corrosive press studs and eyelet