Tag Archives: eNews

What does International Women’s Day have to do with men?

In short, the answer is everything. However one word will not make for a very compelling article, so let’s explore the idea.

In September 2014, Emma Watson (or Hermione, as most of us know her) launched the United Nations’ HeForShe campaign with a compelling speech in New York.

In it she detailed how she came to be a feminist and what the word means to her. She then went on to extend a formal invitation to men to participate in the journey to global gender equality.

Sadly a number of feminists took issue with this. Their qualm was the belief that men benefit from the power given to them by gender stereotypes. In a blog on Black Girl Dangerous, Mia McKenzie states that Watson “seems to suggest that the reason men aren’t involved in the fight for gender equality is that women simply haven’t invited them.”

She intimates that women have been trying to get men to care about the oppression of women, however they have never been overwhelmingly interested.

While it is important to respect all opinions, it is more realistic to assume that most men perhaps don’t understand (rather than don’t care about) the issues associated with gender inequality.

Ban Ki-moon equality quoteInternational Women’s Day (IWD) is an opportunity for both women and men to reflect on progress made in the fight for gender equality, to continue to call for change and to celebrate the acts of women who have campaigned for equal rights.

In fact, the theme for IWD 2015 is “Equality for women is progress for all”, a notion that highlights the shared benefits of gender equality.

The fact is if you’re born a girl, the odds are stacked against you. While in most developed countries women are encouraged to get an education, have the right to vote, have access to healthcare services and are entitled to work; in countries such as Sierra Leone being a girl means you are more likely to be sexually assaulted than to attend school.

In addressing the original question, men and boys can be advocates for change when they fully understand the issue we face. Feminism need not be an uncomfortable word. It inherently implies that together we believe that all people are entitled to the same civil rights and liberties regardless of gender. It proposes a shared commitment in the fight against the persisting inequalities faced by women and girls.

As Watson states gender should be viewed on a spectrum, not as two opposing ideals. So this International Women’s Day, on 8 March, start a conversation. Ask yourself how you, your family, your community and our world can benefit from gender equality, and what you can do, no matter how small, to promote equal rights.

Feeling inspired?

Top tips to be a responsible traveller

At Inspired Adventures, we take pride in minimising our environmental and cultural impact on the places we find so wonderful.

And we want you to do the same.

So how can you travel in a responsible and sustainable way, while still getting the most from your destination? It’s easier than you think… Continue reading →

3 things we can learn from Bhutan

This time of year is perfect for re-evaluating and taking a moment to assess your goals and aspirations. The best inspiration often comes from immersing ourselves in new cultures and learning new ways to incorporate their best practices into our own busy lives.

Travelling to Bhutan is one way to open up these channels and explore a culture rich in myth and happiness! Continue reading →

Inspired Adventures: 10 years of achievement

Inspired Adventures recently held our annual Christmas Party. As usual it was a fun affair where clients, participants, suppliers and staff could mingle and be merry in celebration of another inspiring year.

In between the prop shots, catch-ups and conversations, our leader Justine Curtis, and three Inspired staff members gave a wonderful speech about what it’s like to work for Inspired Adventures and all we’ve achieved in our ten year history. So let’s take a walk down memory lane at some of the firsts for Inspired Adventures… Continue reading →

Justine winning top awards

She won! Inspired Adventures’ Founder and CEO, Justine Curtis, won the Telstra Business Women’s Award for Business Owner NSW.

It’s been ten years since Justine founded Inspired Adventures—a company she hoped would give ordinary people, just like her, the opportunity to do something extraordinary and achieve transformation through experience.

From climbing Kilimanjaro to establishing Australia and New Zealand’s premier fundraising agency, Justine’s achievements are many and her desire to be the change she wants to see in the world remains strong.

It’s fitting then, that this year—whilst celebrating 10 Years of Inspired Adventures—Justine is being recognised for her efforts in driving truly incredible fundraising results for Australian and international charities. Continue reading →

Mum and son meet mountain

In October, Sue and Tristan Irvine will take on Kilimanjaro together in support of the Leukaemia Foundation. The mother and son team from Canberra have both been touched by cancer—Sue is a breast cancer survivor and Tristan completed treatment for Leukaemia in January. They were inspired to take on this challenge together to mark the four year anniversary of Tristan’s diagnosis.

The pair have already raised almost $10,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation, who provided such wonderful support to Tristan during his three years of treatment.

Fundraising Coordinator, Kate O’Callaghan, caught up with the pair as they prepare to take on this challenge of a lifetime. Continue reading →

Peter’s pedal for pandas at 84

Peter Carter generated a great deal of fuss around his  ‘Pedal for Pandas’ cycling adventure in Sichuan Provence, China. From his fundraising achievements for WWF Australia to his cycling prowess, this 84-year-old has shown that age really is no limit to taking on a challenging adventure that makes a difference to a cause close to your heart. Peter was gracious enough to do a short Q&A before his adventure. We’re happy to report that he’s since successfully completed his Pedal for Pandas, with some photos from the adventure below.

What motivated you to take on the Pedal for Pandas 2014?

Rather than take self-indulgent holidays, I like to do something useful for the environment, for native species, pest control or for human kind. The WWF Australia Pedal for Pandas presented this opportunity. Also I like keeping fit and this is a big part of why I am able to function physically at my mature age (84). One of my veterinary colleagues had a key role in WWF years ago and that made me think more about this particular organisation. I have not worked for WWF before but have given my financial support through monthly donations for several years as well as contributed extra donations for special requests.

 

Why is animal advocacy important?

I think it tragic that so many beautiful species have become extinct through no fault of their own. Extinction of native species is a result of humans taking over their habitat and through indifference and ignorance of the importance of native areas in maintaining human health and morale.

Other than pandas, what is your favourite animal?

I chose to work for fifteen years with dairy cows and later having left veterinary practice, we kept Jersey milking cows for our own home use. They are beautiful animals and I enjoy their association—but then all animals have their special virtues.

How can we make a difference and protect animals?

Other than curbing the ever-increasing global population (human), a good way to help animals is to support people who are already doing a good job of protecting and improving native areas and species. It is great that we have many dedicated people now involved in animal care.

You have done exceptionally well with your fundraising. What is the secret of your success?

I have a daughter with marketing and computer skills. So called “social media” has been the main reason for achieving a good result. I hope it is not finished yet and I will improve on the amount already fundraised. I thought I might have to have something like a “Panda Party” and run some social functions but now I may not have to! While I do not expect any concessions based on my calendar age, other people are very impressed and amazed by my performance. I guess this is because most people of my age are either dead or suffering nasty illnesses. I believe this has been an important factor in my fundraising success.

 

 

What am I looking forward to? 

I am keen to get close to and learn more about pandas. I am also looking forward to meeting the people on the Pedal for Pandas and I find I like riding bicycles—they are simple and marvellous bits of machinery. I am certainly enjoying the marvellous bike tracks that abound around Melbourne as a much appreciated side benefit of my fitness training for this adventure.

Peter in training:

Peter’s Pedal for Pandas from David Carter on Vimeo.

More on Peter and the Pedal for Pandas:

instagram@INSPIREDADVENTURES

[mgl_instagram_user username=”inspiredadventures” cols=”6″ number=”6″]

These boots are made for trekking…

It is every trekker’s worst nightmare. You’ve prepared for an adventure, endured the blisters of breaking in your trekking boots and packed your spare laces, then halfway through your trek your boots decide they’ve had enough… Before you take off, it’s essential to look for signs that your trusted trekking boots may not be up for the journey.

With this simple guide, your feet will stay snug and comfortable, so you can focus on enjoying your adventure of a lifetime.

First and foremost, you must check all the seams, stitching and shoelace eyelets of your boots for excessive wear and tear. If your boots are buckling under the strain of training, it is likely they will not stand up to your adventure. Next, inspect the area where the sole bonds to the upper material. If you can see gaps or places where the glue has started to deteriorate, you must have this professionally mended or face having soggy feet for the majority of your adventure.

Whether you’ve had your boots for 10 years or 10 minutes, how you care for them primarily determines how well they will hold up as you take on the world. So how can you extend the life of your boots? Chris Mein from Paddy Pallin shares his best tips.

Keep them clean Clean your boots thoroughly after every trek. Dirt and grime that settle in the material can act as abrasives. Chemicals in soil, such as fertilisers and salt, can also pose a serious threat to the rubber, glue and leather of your boots.

Keep them dry When drying your trekking boots, avoid extreme heat. Instead of drying your boots next to a fire or a heater, stuff them with newspaper and let them air dry. When storing your boots, ensure they are in a dry place, away from direct sunlight.

Keep them Conditioned Boot conditioners work a treat on full grain leather boots. Apply the conditioner after a long trek and before setting off on a new adventure.

Don’t forget, as an Inspired Adventurer, you receive a 15% discount at Paddy Pallin when you have your boots professionally fitted by one of their footwear staff.

Feeling Inspired? Try out your boots on one of our treks

The lowdown on trekking poles

 What are Trekking/Walking Poles and why would I use them on an Inspired Adventure?

Contributed by Chris Mein (Paddy Pallin): Trekking poles are simply walking sticks and they take many forms, ranging from single staves made from found wood to pairs of sophisticated height-adjustable poles made from lightweight composite materials. This article is aimed at the user, or potential user, of purpose built walking poles, which have been enjoying increased popularity amongst trekkers, hikers and general walkers for many years.

What are the Benefits?

A landmark study done by Dr. G. Neureuther (Physician) in 1981 proved that use of “ski poles” while walking reduces the pressure strain on the opposite leg by approximately 20%. Furthermore, while walking on level ground, poles reduce the body weight carried by the legs by approximately 5 kg every step. Move to an incline, and that reduction increases to 8 kg. Think about this in the context of a multi hour or multi day walk/trek.

A more recent study with hikers was published in the American College of Sports Medicine journal, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. The study conducted at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 2001, showed that using poles lets hikers lengthen their strides, put less strain on their knees, and generally feel more comfortable. The hikers studied did not expend less energy, but the increase in stability made long treks easier.

Effectively using two trekking poles reduces fatigue, increases speed (level, uphill and downhill), provides excellent stability, increases the distance that can be comfortably travelled in a day, and reduces accumulated stress on the feet, legs, knees and back.

How to Use Your Poles

One of the legitimate complaints about trekking poles is that many people simply do not know how to use them correctly. As a result these people get little or no benefit from them and the poles can easily end up getting in the way. Fortunately the proper technique is easy to pick up and can be mastered with a little practice.

Pole Length:

Even though it is often stated that you can adjust the pole to suit the terrain, you will find that generally they can be set at the beginning of a journey and left for the duration.

Completing the following procedure should result in a pole length that is a good compromise for both ascending and descending.

Adjust the length of your poles as follows:

  1. “Unlock” the upper and lower sections of both poles.
  2. Extend the lower section of both poles to just less than the maximum limit and “lock” the lower section.
  3. Stand up straight with shoulders relaxed.
  4. Place one pole under an arm and adjust the length so that the top of the pole is half way between you armpit and elbow.
  5. “Lock” the upper section of that pole in place.
  6. Use the fully locked pole as a “ruler” to adjust the length of your second pole.

Note: Adjustments to pole length should be made within the limits of the manufacturer’s recommendations and it might also help you in choosing which model, as it is imperative to get one that is long enough for you.

Wrist Straps:

The wrist straps are critical to getting maximum efficiency from your poles. They should be adjusted so that when the hand is inserted through the loop, the wrist can comfortably apply pressure to the pole. If you turn the loop over your hand like a ski pole grip it should not be necessary to grip the pole tightly with your hand in order to apply the pressure. Your thumb and fingers should merely form a “U” or an “O” around the grip. The area between the thumb and index finger becomes a point of articulation. While walking, the poles should act and feel as though the arms extend to the ground creating a second pair of legs. The poles should swing forward for the next step just as though they were legs. The grips can be used as necessary, but for the most part the poles should be loaded using mostly the wrist straps.

Terrain:

Level ground to slight uphill: Poles are used the same as in cross-country skiing. Tips of the poles are behind the body. Left foot is forward while left pole is back and similarly with the right. Forcefully load the poles to aid in forward movement.

On steep uphills: Left pole is planted at the same time as the left foot and similarly with the right. Load the pole to reduce the weight that the leg has to lift. Poles are even with the body for moderate upgrades and can be moved in front of the body for steeper inclines. Best to shorten the length of the poles so your hands are not at or over the height of your shoulders.

Slight to moderate downhills: Descending moderate declines you can use the exact opposite of level to slight uphill technique. The poles are in front of the body. Left foot is back while left pole is forward and similarly with the right. Load the poles to control forward movement.

Steep downhills: For these the configuration is nearly the opposite of when climbing steep terrain. Left pole is planted just before the left foot and then the right. Load the pole to help control placement of the foot. On slippery surfaces lean forward (the natural tendency is backward) and trust your poles. The poles will help maintain downward force on the feet to prevent them from slipping. On extremely steep slopes or rock steps you might place both poles in front and lower your weight down. Best to extend the poles so you’re not lowering your hands too far that you reduce your weight control.

NB: Practice the various techniques carefully to make sure that you are comfortable and safe using them and that you can learn the limits of the poles on different surfaces.

One Pole or Two?

All the above comments are about using a pair of poles. One pole will do some of the above but not all. One is better than none but two will provide more than twice the benefit. If you have knee or back problems, intend to use the poles all the time or are carrying a load, I would recommend two poles. You could always try one and add a second later.

The last word

We’re not suggesting that expeditions, like Mount Kilimanjaro, cannot be done without them, but we strongly recommend that you consider the idea as part of your preparation.