After a smooth weekend of flights from all over the country, the Fall Semester class has finally arrived in China for a 6-week tour of the rivers and culture, creating a wonderful learning environment. The students have just finished their first two days of school in Shanghai and are catching a train (37 hour ride!) to Kunming. They will have a day of school there and then move on towards the Tibetan Highlands.We just finished our first two days of school here in Shanghai.

Morgan Tidd enjoys the culture in Shanghai on the students' first day in China

The students have been excited to shop for meals, take videos and photos, and simply take in the culture. They are continually pointing and checking out all kinds of varying aspects of the culture.

This morning, students came to class in Halloween costumes. Charlotte was a nun and Katie wore a toga. Shane wore a cape and was "Super Shane."

You can expect more reports from the students after their train trek in the next few days.

Mekong Expedition

Describing the Mekong would not be right without first detailing the drive. The drive from Lijiang first required a layover in the town of Jadien. Jadien is a town resting on the slopes of the Tibetan region of Shangri La. Much of the road was high above the Yangtze and we saw the famous “First Bend of the Yangtze.” Students would dance with Tibetans after dinner, and return to our cold mountainside hostel.

The next day we would cross a 15,000’ pass en route to Duqin. The drive was remarkable. Students would hang their heads out of the windows taking photos; we enjoyed a snowball fight, lost our breath running, and rave about the sunny weather. Duqin rests at 10,000’ sitting on a slope surrounded by peaks. The town is nothing less than gorgeous. We would buy some last supplies and eat a Chinese style dinner we had grown accustomed to.

Mekong Day 1

Everyone was excited after breakfast in Duqin. We drove from a chilly 10,000’ to around 7,000’. En route to China’s Mekong River we stopped at a monastery over a thousand feet above the desert like river canyon. The drive winded around the mountainside much like the now familiar goat and yak trails. Everyone took photos while Cael, Daniel, and Tino caught audio of a monk chanting as he engraved a bracelet he would certainly sell. As we drove the tight road students would often yell around turns as we stared a cliff edge leading our eyes hundreds of feet below.

Mekong Put-in:

Jed Weingarten escorted our group of 20 to our first China run in the Tibetan region known as Shangri La. Levin Brown, Will, and Tashi would work 12 miles down river to rig raft support and setup Mekong Base Camp 1. After lunch and a safety talk we put on the Mekong. Michelle was feeling sick and Charlotte opted to not make the first day on the Mekong.

The first section would be the most challenging and packed full of glassy surf waves and large holes. After our normal paddle warm up routine we paddled into a large class IV rapid. The river left provided both a scout and portage option. The left bank also formed two giant holes. The right line was fast, pushy, and ran parallel to the right wall. Photographers and videographers captured good lines by all.

More Stories about China in the links on the right

Students Arive in China

Dear Parents,

We just finshed our first two days of school here in Shanghai. This afternoon we will catch a 37 hour train to Kunming. We will do one day of school, lots of sleeping, eating, and games on the train.

We still have not received Tyson's kayak. MaryJo is attempting to have it shipped direct to our Lijiang address. We have other options if this does not workout.

The students have been excited to shop for meals, take videos and photos, and simply take in the culture. They are continually pointing and checking out all kinds of varying aspects of the culture.

This morning students showed up in halloween costumes. Charlotte was a nun and Katie wore a toga. Shane wore a cape and was "Super Shane."

Expect to not hear from us for a couple of days until we arrive in Kunming.

Best,

David