Day13 - The Finish

They've Done It!!!!

They crossed the line at 07:45 hrs our time.

They crossed the line as a team and were absolutely jubilant!

An amazing achievement

They chilled out with a swim in the sea this afternoon and are going out for a meal this evening.

LAST POSITION!

28 degrees 53 minutes 41 seconds North
34 degrees 32 minutes 56 seconds East

A fantastic achievement!!!

Day 12

So close now - tomorrow they pass the finish line!

Everyone of course is really looking forward to it and the feeling in camp tonight is one of excitement and some relief!

Position:
28 degrees 54 minutes 27 seconds North
34 degrees 32 minutes 09 seconds East

The team has covered over 140 Km and the end is in sight!! We've been told that there is excitement and some relief within the team....what an experience they have had. They must be so proud and pleased with themselves.......how can we at home ever imagine and understand what has been going through their young minds to have completed the challenge!!

They still have another 5 days over in Egypt. Following a good rest the team is painting a community centre before returning on the 23rd July. Looking forward to hearing the stories!!!

Day 11

Satellite connection not great today so only a short message.

All is well and all the team are getting excited about finishing the trek.

Position:
28 degrees 54 minutes 5 seconds North
34 degrees 28 minutes 59 seconds East

Day 10

A slightly cooler day today - only 40 degrees!

They have made steady progress down the valley 

They have all shown great strength and team work - helping each other when the going gets tough.

Position:

28 degrees 58 minutes 35 seconds North
34 degrees 28 minutes 54 seconds East

Day 9

They arrived at the oasis early lunchtime and thoroughly enjoyed a dip in the water, not really a swim as it is only about 5 metres by 5 metres!

But after all that sun and sand I'm told they loved it!

Moving on in the late afternoon down the valley.

Everyone is fine and in very good spirits.

Position:

28 degrees 55 minutes 20.9 seconds North
34 degrees 26 minutes 31 seconds East 

Day 8

Another very hot day - up near 45 degrees most of the day.

A welcome break came at lunchtime when the mid day break was taken at a well.
The opportunity for a bit of a wash was 'magic'

Everyone is well and very much settled into desert life!!

They are now at an elevation of 852 metres

Tomorrow they head for the oasis - something green amongst all that sand!

Position:

28 degrees 53 minutes 61.8 seconds North
34 degrees 21 minutes 42.7 seconds East

Image showing the terrain that the team has been walking over during the last few days. They have now covered over 100km and by the reports coming back, the team seem to be in good spirits and working well together.

Following the expedition the team will spend a further week in the Sinai painting a community centre in one of the villages. Details to follow!!

Day 7

They have trekked through the Zelega wadi now and begun slowly climbing again.

A long day today covering a good distance - the temperature has reached 45 degrees, so everyone very tired but spirits are high and everyone has acclimatised well now so far more able to cope with the heat.

Position:

28 degrees 58 minutes 99.3 seconds North
34 degrees 19 minutes 21.5 seconds East

Day 6

They have been walking along a very long Wadi (valley) called 'Zelega' today.

The total distance covered so far is 73 Km

Position:

28 degrees 56 minutes 52.9 seconds North
34 degrees 10 minutes 66.9 seconds East

Everyone is well and they have settled into the routines.

Day 5

The team 'marches' on covering a further 10 km today.........communication received reads;

After a good rest this morning, the team began walking in the late afternoon.

They have come down to approx 1000 metres now.

'Annie' one of the adult team members lead a cool down session after their walk and then some yoga movements for those interested.

Yoga in the desert - I wonder what the Bedouin thought?!

Position:

28 degrees 52 minutes 45 seconds North
34 degrees 00 minutes 03 seconds East

Each member of the team take it in turns to 'lead' each day......this includes discussing and deciding upon the route that the expedition will take for the day. What an experience and a confidence booster for all team members!!

Day 4

Day 4 and spirits are high!!

Climbed to their highest point so far (1200 metres) /seen the most amazing sunset

Good day - long lunch time rest /& setting off slightly later tomorrow to get in a good rest and get ready for the next leg

Position:
28 degrees 50 minutes 80.4 seconds North
33 degrees 55 minutes 73.7 seconds East

Mackensie will see some amazing and memorable sights in the desert. A comment in the last communications mentioned an 'amazing sunset'. It will be interesting to hear the descriptions of the night sky.......with no light pollution the night sky will be clear and 'alive' with activity!!

Day 3

The following communication has been received from the team;

Long day today - 45 degrees in the sun
Stopped at a well at lunchtime and were able to have a bit of a wash

Walked 11 km this morning and 7.2 km this afternoon

Current position:
28 degrees 55 minutes 48 seconds North
33 degrees 49 minutes 28 seconds East

As the image below shows, the team is making good distance across the Peninsula. In discussions before the start of the expedition, Mackensie did say that the first few days that the team would walk on 'excitement' and 'adrenalin'. Day 3/4/5 would start to tell as the reality of the trip, the heat, the sand, the distance would begin play on the young minds of the team members. They would need to get through these 'mind games' and settle into the routine of the long, hot days!!

They're Underway!

The team has arrived in the Sinai. Communications from the team back to the UK is brief because the satellite phone being used is for emergency situations and not for general chit-chat!!

Updates from the team include a line saying 'everyone is well and happy' followed by co-ordinates showing their current position. To show their journey, the co-ordinates have been plotted on Goggle Earth.

This image shows the Sinani Peninsula. The team started their journey from Serabit and have been heading east. On Day 1 they covered 9.5Km and then on Day 2 they have covered 14.6Km. On Day 2 the team have camped near by the Heritage site of the 'Forest of Pillars'

At the Airport

The excitement builds as 'the reason' for the months of preparation and hard work that the team has undertaken has finally arrived! There are mixed feelings of excitement, nervousness and anxiety has the team make last minute adjustments and prepare to say their good-byes.


Mackenesie is looking very relaxed....I wonder what is going on in the mind of this 12 year
old?? 

It is time to say good-bye....hugs, kisses and tears. A very emotional moment as the team heads towards the departure gates. Mackensie looks so grown up, but yet so young! What an experience for the boy and how he will grow in confidence and maturity over the next three weeks.

Good luck Macka....we will all be thinking of you and the team!

Preparation/Training

The Sinai Youth Expedition is not just  trekking across the desert.......it involves months of planning, preparation and training. From the outset the philosopy of the expedition is that the team must plan and prepare themselves and that adults will be there to guide and encourage, but not to 'do it all'!!

The team has been meeting every 2/3 weeks to plan and prepare for their adventure. They discuss and formulate ideas for individual and team fundraising opportunities. They discuss 'kit' requirements and help each other with reassurance and encouragement.

The team has also spent 2 week-ends hiking across the Surrey Downs. These week ends have been designed as team building and activity week-ends where they have brushed up on skills and procedures including; first-aid, survival procedures, lost and found procedures, orienteering, map reading and not to forget the basic cooking and camping!! The week-ends have also given the adults an opportunity to monitor and assess each of the team members physical and mental attributes to ensure that they are ready for the expedition.

For Mackensie, it has provided opportunities to grow and develop in a team environment. He has learnt to listen, formulate ideas and contribute in discussions. He has presented to Companies and at clubs to tell his story to maximise fundraising opoortunities. He has grown in confidence and maturity developing 'skills' that will benefit him in later life.

What an opportunity!!

What an opportunity....what an adventure.....Inspirational!!

What is it that provides the motivation and enthusiasm for a 12 yr old boy to tackle the solitude of the desert? Yes, in July 2008 Mackensie, along with 11 other youths, are taking on a 150Km trek across the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. The team will endure temperatures up to 50°C as they aim to raise money for Jigsaw4u.

Jigsaw4u is a charity that provides much needed grief support and comfort for young people who have lost someone close to them. The charity helps young people to develop strategies to cope with loss and trauma to achieve a positive future. It is fantastic that this team of 12 young people are challenging themselves to help and support other young people.......

Lets face it, as adults many of us would shy away from the idea of 50°C temperatures, relentless exposure to the heat and sand, sand and more sand!! I for one, could not imagine the conditions that Mackensie will put himself through.....and yes, the boy himself has no real idea of what he will be facing. Is it this 'unknown' that provides the excitement to challenge and test oneself?