Bronze IA and Qiandaohu Program

Transcription

1 YCIS (Shanghai) Bronze IA and Qiandaohu Program October 29 - November 2, 2018 Pre- departure Information

2 The schedule below is for reference purposes only. Your guides will provide final confirmation of assembly times as itinerary may change depending on circumstances. October 29: Transfer to Fuyang, Begin Practice Bronze IA Hike (5-7KM) ~8:00am: Bus from YCIS to Longmen Mountain, Fuyang (~4 hours) 12:00pm: Rendezvous with KA guides, Introductions, organize equipment. 12:30pm: Divide into IA groups of <8, meet your group leader, distribute trail maps & compasses, overview of navigation principles. On the first day, the hike will primarily involve uphill walking on a well-trodden dirt trail, offering nice views of the surrounding countryside (packed lunches prepared by students eaten while hiking). 5:00pm: Aim to arrive at our campsite, review of camp-craft, set up tents, and begin preparing dinner. (KA guides will distribute various ingredients to students at the beginning of the hike, to be prepared as camp potluck dinner. 6:30pm: Eat dinner, wash dishes 7:30pm: Evening first-aid course and rescue simulation October 30: Finish Practice Hike (8KM), Transfer to Qiandaohu 7:00am: Breakfast, pack up camp, fill up water bottles 8:30am: Begin hiking. We will continue hiking through Mt. Longmen on the eastern side of Fuyang. The route winds up and down, mostly along footpaths through bamboo forest, that connect remote farmhouses. (Picnic lunches, ingredients provided by KA, eaten en route). 2:00pm: Conclude hike at HuangKeng Village, transfer by charter bus to Qiandaohu 5:30pm: Arrive at Lion City Boutique Hotel, shower, rest 6:30pm: Dinner, followed by free time to walk around the Lion City cultural area, followed by reflections on practice IA. October 31: Qiandaohu Greenway Cycling / Lion City Amazing Race :00am: Breakfast at hotel 9:00am: Divide into two groups: Group 1: Transfer to Fenkou town (20 minutes), sort bicycles/helmets, divide into groups, cycling safety overview. Begin cycling along the Fenkou section of the Qiandaohu cycling greenway. This is one of the most beautiful sections of the greenway; located away from the main road and close to the lake. Group 2: Amazing Race activity in Lion City, consisting of a scavenger hunt at the Lion City Museum, snack food challenge, and lesson in traditional local handicrafts. 12:30pm: Sit-down lunch at local restaurant 1:30pm: Switch groups/activities 5:00pm: Conclude afternoon activity period, return to hotel for shower, and free time 6:30pm: Outdoor BBQ party, evening activity (TBD) November 1: Team-Building and High-Ropes Challenge Activities / Kayaking 7:30am: Breakfast at hotel, check-out. 8:30am: Transfer to high-ropes team-building base (30 minutes). Students will have the option of doing rock climbing on an artificial wall or high-ropes challenge course activities (trapeze, shaky bridge, ladders, and leap of faith. ) 12:30pm: Lunch at on-site restaurant. 1:00pm: Transfer to kayaking base (15 minutes) for kayaking activity. Begin with a safety briefing and paddling skills, followed by games on the lake and a circuit through the nearby network of islands. 4:30pm: Conclude kayaking activities, change clothes, transfer to hotel in Qiandaohu Town (20 minutes). 5:00pm: Arrive at hotel, check-in, shower 7:00pm: Final night buffet, followed by final trip reflections. November 2: Cool-down Hike / Return to YCIS 7:00am: Buffet breakfast at hotel, check-out 8:00pm: Depart for Muxin Valley (20 minutes, depending on traffic) for a final morning walk in the woods. This hike is fairly easy, featuring deciduous forest and beautiful scenery. Along the way, KA guides will offer a few take-away points about the program and the area. 11:00am: Conclude hike, distribute packed lunches, say goodbye to KA guides 11:30am 5:00pm: Return to YCIS by private bus (rest stop en route)

3 Trip Details How Difficult is this Program? This first part of this trip is designed to meet the standards for an international award bronze expedition and will challenge students physically and mentally. While the recommended route has been designed to accommodate those with limited experience, students should nonetheless expect the hike to be strenuous. Students will receive topographic maps (with trails indicated) of the area, and will be required to reach the campsite with as little assistance as possible from accompanying KA guides, in groups of ~8. Students will be responsible for carrying all of their own equipment, preparing meals and setting up the campsite. The remainder of the program will take place in the Thousand Island Lake Scenic Area. Mobile Phone Use Students should NOT plan to use mobile phones during the day, including social media, listening to music, etc. Mobile phones can be used during bus rides and before going to sleep if necessary. For taking pictures, it is recommended that students bring cameras. The purpose of this policy is to facilitate student engagement in the trip. Comfort level We will be traveling in the countryside of China where urban amenities are limited. Students will spend one night camping, and three nights in boutique hotels. Tents/rooms will be shared by two students, and each room will contain a private, western-style toilet. Food and drinks All meals are included as stated in the itinerary. Breakfasts are served buffet-style in the hotel, while lunches and dinners will generally be taken at nearby Chinese restaurants. Students that do not like spicy food and/or have other dietary preferences should inform trip staff accordingly. Soft drinks and soda during meals are NOT included. Students should bring packed lunches for October 29 th, and will prepare tree meals while hiking, with food provided by KA. As for water, students should bring reusable, durable water bottles, which can be refilled with spring water throughout the day (water jugs will be provided). Students are expected to carry their water bottles at all times, as disposable water bottles will NOT be provided for students. Drinking tap water is not recommended unless it has been boiled. Health Issues Modern medical facilities with international staffs are available in Hangzhou with up-to-date medical technology and knowledgeable physicians. The main health problems students are likely to experience is Sunburn & Dehydration. Students will spend the entire trip outdoors and should protect against sunburn by wearing a hat, UV sunglasses, and use sunscreen with a protection factor of 15+. Students should drink plenty of water throughout the day in order to avoid dehydration. Caution and Safety In designing our programs, selecting locations, and hiring staff, safety is our greatest priority. Keystone Adventures completes risk assessments on our programs, taking not only safety into account, but availability of quality food and water, distance to emergency medical care, evacuation procedures, quality of transportation, etc. Our student-to-leader ratio is kept low in order to closely manage safety, and students receive a safety briefing that reviews possible risks and the procedures used to minimize those risks. Ultimately, our impeccable safety record is a point of pride for our company, and we will continue to work diligently to ensure that it remains unblemished. Students should limit contact with domestic or stray dogs and cats as it is unlikely they are vaccinated and they may carry diseases such as rabies. Students should be responsible for their valuable items, and make sure to keep valuable things on them at all times. Students should use good judgment when interacting with strangers. There may be insects in the areas that we will visit, especially near the campsite.

4 Recommended Packing List Packing Instructions: Students should prepare a 60L backpack for the 2-day hike in Hangzhou. As students will be carrying all of their own equipment for the entire trip (with NO place to store unnecessary items) they should pack essential items only, and leave room for tents. Students are discouraged from being computers and other valuable items. Students should expect that all clothes worn during the trip (including shoes) will get dirty. While kayaking, students will only need to bring a handful of essential items and will be required to wear closed-toed shoes (no flip-flops!); overnight packs and camping equipment will be delivered separately to the campsite. While cycling, students should prepare at least one pair of padded spandex cycling shorts and a day-pack and plan to wear it while cycling. Keystone Adventures will provide tents, cooking stoves, and fuel for students. A 2L+ water-bottle is essential for this trip; you must bring one! Overview of Weather: You should check the forecast 24 to 48 hours before departure for a better indication of weather. However, here s some general info that may be helpful: Participants in the IA bronze expedition to Hangzhou should pack with the following in mind: the average daytime temperature range is in the vicinity of (15 o C ~ 25 o C). Daytime temperatures will be hot, the sun can be intense, and participants should bring adequate sun protection to prevent sunburn and dehydration. Evening/night temperatures are typically cool, at 5-15 o C. A light jacket and long pants are recommended for nights. It may also rain during the trip, and participants should prepare for rain when packing. Activity Locations October Temperature Range Rain? Fuyang / Qiandaohu 10 C - 25 C Might Rain (Hot during the day, cool at night) Gear 60L Backpack Packed lunch for October 29 th, snacks 2 Liter Refillable (non-disposable) Water Bottles Sunscreen / Hat / Sunglasses Rain Jacket / Poncho / Umbrella Personal first-aid items/medications Sleeping Bag/Sleeping Mat Headlamp / flashlight Change of clothes (there will NOT be an opportunity to shower at campsite) Roll/package of toilet tissue & waterless hand sanitizer Toiletries, waterless soap, toothbrush/toothpaste & hand/face towel (Inflatable) travel pillow for camping Reusable cup (for drinking, brushing teeth, etc.) Personal utensils (plastic bowl, spoon/fork, chopsticks, small knife) Spare shoelaces Lightweight bag cover (to protect from rain) Trekking Poles What you will need for Kayaking Appropriate swim suit or clothing that can get wet Closed-toed shoes (sport sandals or wet shoes or normal shoes) No flip-flops! Clothing Proper Hiking shoes/boots Long Pants (lightweight outdoor pants, not jeans) Shorts, T-shirts Warm clothes for the evening (temperature: 5-10 C), light down jacket, hat Lots of Extra Socks (3-4 pairs) Underwear (optional long underwear for nights) Flip-flops (for resting feet at night) Rain jacket/poncho/umbrella Optional Items Small laundry bag (for dirty items; participants should not plan to do laundry during trip) Camera Hiking Stick (optional), compass What not to Bring Computer Weapons Alcohol/cigarettes/illegal drugs Valuable Items What you will need for Cycling Padded Bike Shorts, Proper footwear (no sandals) Small backpack (worn while cycling)

5 Program Leaders Name Role Phone Number Mr. Raul Sauco Head Guide, Qiandaohu Trip Ms. Kat Xie Logistics Coordinator Mr. Adam Kritzer (not present on trip) General Manager of Keystone Adventures Mobile phone coverage is available in most of the places we plan to visit. It is not appropriate for students to contact guides directly, before or after the trip, including via social media. Local Hospitals Hospital Name Location / Address Phone Number Anchor Healthcare Zhejiang Hospital International Medical Center 安可国际健康管理中心 Hangzhou City, No.12 LingYin Rd 杭州市西湖区灵隐路 12 号浙江医院门诊楼二楼 Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine 浙江大学医学院附属邵逸夫医院 Hangzhou City, 3 East Qingchun Rd 浙江杭州庆春东路 3 号 No. 1 People s Hospital of Chun an County 淳安县第一人民医院 Malu Cun, across from Linhai Hotel Qiandaohu, Chun'an County 淳安县千岛湖镇马路村 ( 林海酒店斜对面 ) The number for emergency response in China is 110.