Copy
Are you ready for an adventure?
View this email in your browser
Untamed Borders Logo
Afghani Ski Guides_Afghan Ski Challenge 2014_COPYRIGHT_UntamedBorders

Spring 2014 Newsletter

In this issue:

  • A note from James
  • Upcoming trips in 2014
  • Recent Untamed Adventures
Pictured: Afghan Ski Guides in Bamian

A note from James Willcox, Founder

One of the mantras of Untamed Borders is that a trip can only be considered a success if both our guests and the people of the countries they come to visit have a good time; that everyone benefits from the experience.
 
This can obviously be measured in tangible increments such as how much money we spend in the local community. However, it is those intangible benefits that are often just as important. We have been proud to be a part of the development of ski tourism in Bamian in Afghanistan. The progression of the ski guides has been a fantastic thing to witness. When we first took skiers to Bamian in 2011, guides such as Ali Shah and Sajjad had only been skiing a few weeks. I remember seeing Ali Shah as a slightly shy but hard working and capable young man getting to grips with the maintenance of ski equipment and the concepts of ski touring. By 2012, when we visited with the crew of White Silk Road – Snowboard Afghanistan, I thought I would have to bridge the cultural and knowledge gap between Ali Shah and the Aussie snowboarders to explain locations and conditions. After 30 seconds it was clear that Ali Shah was already way ahead of me in the way he described routes and variables to the crew.
 
Fast-forward to 2014 and the Afghan ski guides now look and act the part. Their knowledge of the mountains is great, their skiing has come on leaps and bounds and as Sajjad says, “We love it that the foreigners come to ski but if they did not we would still ski and still train the boys from the villages.”
 
Supporting the ski program by bringing ski tourists to Afghanistan has given dozens of our guests some wonderful experiences, has brought money to Bamian in the winter season when work is of short supply but perhaps even more than that - it has given a few guys in Bamian a profession and a passion that will stay with them forever.
 
For photos of our ski trips check out some snaps on our Facebook page here or check out this video by Newsweek. In March 2014 we guided journalists from Newsweek to cover the 4th annual Afghan Ski Challenge.
 
James

Upcoming Trips

Please take a look at the full list of itineraries for further info on upcoming trips.
Karakorum Valleys photo_copyright Untamed Borders

Karakorum Valleys

There is still space on our upcoming Karakorum Valleys trip to the northern mountains of Pakistan. Join us to explore the tapestry of different peoples and cultures that exist amongst the peaks of the Himalaya, Karakorum and Hindu Kush ranges. 
Kabul photo_copyright Untamed Borders

Melons & Grapes - Grand Afghan Tour

How a land that appears to be made entirely of bare rock can produce melons as large as beach balls and grapes bursting with juice is one of life’s great mysteries. This trip allows visitors to experience the very best of Afghanistan.
Wakhan Corridor photo_copyright Untamed Borders

Trek the Wakhan

Join us on a 22-day odyssey to meet and live with one of the world’s last and least visited nomadic cultures: The Kyrgyz of the Afghan Pamir. An opportunity to trek deep into territory where few outsiders have been.
 

Recent Untamed Adventures

Untamed Borders have already had a busy 2014 so far. Some of the more interesting things we have arranged have included:
If any of the above sounds tempting or you want to meet one of the Untamed Borders team for a chat then please get in touch.

The Untamed Borders Team

April 2014
Facebook
Facebook
Twitter
Twitter
Website
Website
Copyright © 2014 Untamed Borders Ltd, All rights reserved.


unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences 

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp

If you like this newsletter then please forward it on.