Training is well underway for the all female Australian group heading to Nepal in November to trek the stunning Annapurna mountain range to Annapurna Base Camp [ABC].
According to trek leader Elle Morris, the group has been following a solid training schedule in the lead up to the trip.
“We have all been steadily working on our walking fitness; doing longer and more walks as the weeks go by,” says Elle. “We’ve been trying to incorporate as many hills as possible.”
The group of seven women are also busy attempting to raise $10,000 for INF’s Green Pastures Hospital [GPH] in Pokhara with support from INF Australia’s team.
“We’re nearly half way there. We need to make a big push on it now,” says Elle. “Different supporters are interested in different aspects of INF’s work, some in the leprosy work, some have a connection with Green Pastures and others are touched by the floods and the earthquake. Others donating have visited Nepal and so understand the need, or would like to visit Nepal themselves.”
The recent flooding is very much on Elle’s mind. While she grieves for the enormous affect it has had on so many in Nepal, it motivates her to keep raising funds for INF’s work.
“We postponed our trip two years ago which was due to depart a few days after the earthquake, partly for safety and partly so we didn’t get in the way of relief efforts,” says Elle. “We’re not thinking of postponing at the moment but obviously would reassess if necessary.”
The trip will also include the opportunity to visit remote Nepalese villages and experience the International Nepal Fellowship’s work first hand among some of the most marginalised communities in the country.
“I am hoping that as we visit INF’s work, it will broaden our thinking and our hearts, that we’ll gain an appreciation of what we have and how best to share it to the glory of God,” says Elle. “God placed Nepal and its people on my heart many years ago and the pull does not seem to get any less strong.”
Between now and leaving Australia Elle says the group will be continuing training, fundraising, getting jabs and day dreaming of chia and dal bhat.
There are still a few spots left on the trek, if you’re interested contact the INF Australia office ausoffice@au.inf.org
To help raise funds in partnership with those already signed up to go click here: https://give.everydayhero.com/au/easy-as-abc-trek-2017