Tim writes for British Exploring

Whenever I get a waft of the smell of petrol stoves I am transported back in time 33 years to the Gadsar Valley in Northern India. Our own Optimus camping stoves did a good job but our meals were supplemented by visits to the Omelette Man who, sensing a good business opportunity, followed our train of pack horses over from Sonamarg, our base camp, into Gadsar, our fieldwork area.

We lived in Gadsar for two weeks in the summer of 1988 as part of the BSES Western Himalaya Expedition. I was a member of Noyce Fire – it was our job to do reconnaissance and supply the other fires who were busy doing scientific and survey work. It was a big expedition – there were around 100 of us – British YEs and leaders and around 20 Indian YEs – India then started its own Schools Exploring Society as a result of the trip.

The second phase of the 6 week expedition saw us all completing various treks or climbing a lesser known peak, Mashiru Kangri, over in Ladakh, a little known and seldom visited (as was then) area. So, where does that leave me over 30 years later?

I went off and became a geography teacher, soon realising that young people learn faster and at a deeper level by being immersed in real-life situations. For over 20 years I have been developing and running outdoor and adventurous education projects for schools and their pupils. This soon led into training teachers and working with schools to be confident and competent enough at embedding this kind of learning into their various curricula.

I have a job that I really enjoy and find fulfilment in. A chance call into the BE office in London earlier this year resulted in a warm welcome and me telling my story. I have always advocated for British Exploring with the schools and young people with whom I work. I believe that people need various ‘peak experiences’ in their lives, something on which, at some point in the future, they can pin their dreams – something that they have done, feelings that they have had that they can again strive for. I have many, but one of my first was the 6 weeks I spent with BSES in the Western Himalaya, 1988.

Peter Hart, Mark Noble, Tim Deighton, August 1988 - 3 Members of Noyce Fire packed up and ready to leave Gadsar Campsite, BSES Western Himalayas 1988. We were en route for Gangerbal Lake with light bags - the baggage we are sitting on was about to go back to Sonamarg by mule.