Catapult Adventures
Catapult Adventures is involved in organizing intensive hiking and white
water rafting expeditions led by professional Russian and native wilderness guides. The reason we do it is this: when all of these territories were controlled by the Soviet government they were closed off to Western travelers. There were (and still are) huge tracts of wilderness areas that were virtually unused and untouched by anyone other than the small indigenous populations. Since so few people would go to regions like the Tien Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan, the rivers of Southern Siberia, or the Kamchatka peninsula, there had never been a need amongst Russian mountaineers and river-runners to practice low-impact camping techniques. What has happened, however, is that now all of these areas that were once untouched are now being opened up to
foreigners. As more and more people start to enter these regions, we feel it is necessary to set a precedent for sustainable, low-impact (both environmentally and culturally) types of travel and tourism. We accomplish this first of all by having our guides arrange for homestays with local families so that there can at least be a true dialogue between Westerners and the peoples of these places they are staying. And secondly, when we're in the wilderness we teach our guides about low-impact camping techniques that they
have never had to use; if we can teach them now then as even more people start coming, the people who live in these regions will be able to take care of and preserve their land.
If you're interested in what we're doing, or want to find out more, or even sign on to one of our expeditions, call us at (401) 521.6261 or send e-mail to Graham_Nalle@brown.edu
One of the best ways to get people to start thinking about changing their habits is to raise awareness about wilderness areas like these and how we can preserve them. So, if you want to do a great trip this summer in an eco-friendly, non-intrusive manner, get in touch ...