The 2013 Gap Year expedition to the Empty Quarter of Oman is set for new heights following the success of the 2012 Expedition team. As with all BSES expeditions the 2013 Empty Quarter Expedition will contain a mix of science fieldwork, adventure and self-awareness that will keep you on your toes for the duration of your expedition.

 

While in Oman, your gap year expedition will be split into two distinct phases: the first in Ramlat al Hashman (The Empty Quarter Desert) and the second perched on the edge of the Arabian Peninsula, in Dhofar.

 

As a result you will experience two dramatically transitioning landscapes with an extraordinary variety of geology and wildlife. Splitting the expedition into these distinct phases will allow you to learn how to survive in the harsh desert environment, navigate the dunes and wadis (streambeds that remain dry except during the rainy season), while soaking up the culture and history of your surroundings.

 

What's more, new exciting posibilities await the 2013 Empty Quarter team, after the 2012 team achieved their unexpected feat - to capture camera footage of the elusive Arabian Leopard.  

 

After your arrival in Muscat you and your team will journey into the Rub al Khali, the Empty Quarter, to set up your camp under the stars. As the world’s largest sand desert, the sea of sand before you will be a sight that you will not forget. It is a world of harsh extremes that has been described as the least and most hospitable place on earth, which less than 80 years ago hadn’t been crossed or mapped by anyone other than natives.

 

While you trek through the Empty Quarter you will be keeping an eye out for Sand Cat tracks, Beetles, Lizards and Scorpions. You will also be setting up camera traps along your journey to try and establish the numbers of particular species in certain areas.

 

While you are in the desert you will be sure to experience a dramatic and ever-changing palette of colours on the surrounding dunes of red, orange, yellow, gold, brown and silver blue, depending on the time of day.

 

Just before sunset you will start looking for the ideal site to set up camp. You may wish to search for some kindling to start a camp fire as the sun fades over a nearby dune. Once you make dinner in your fires, you can prepare for a night under the open skies, gazing up at the abundance of galaxies - no light pollution here!

 

Your camp will be the only sign of human life for miles, in the morning it will be gone, your footprints will be erased by the wind.

 

The vastness of the Arabian Desert is striking, even when seen from space. Less noticeable is a small area at its southern border on the Indian Ocean. Unexpectedly, a narrow band of lush vegetation spreads along the coastal mountains of western Oman. These are the Dhofar Cloud Forests where you will be based for the second half of your expedition.

 

The cloud forest is pushed to the edge of Oman and is remnant of a moist vegetation belt, which once spread across the entire Arabian Peninsula. The cloud forest is sustained in this unsuspecting location by the monsoon that sweeps this region between June and September each year. Although monsoons conjure up images of torrential rains and tropical climates, here they take the form of low-lying, white clouds laden with moisture.

 

While you explore the wadi system you will be investigating the presence of the critically endangered Arabian Leopard, while undertaking an inventory of the wildlife in monsoon woodland. Click here to see our video footage of the elusive Arabian Leopard. 

 

 

 

Please spread the word about the Empty Quarter Expedition to your students! You are welcome to forward this email to your school leavers, and if there is still time, we would be delighted to arrange a gap year talk for anyone interested in hearing more about the expedition at the end of the 2012 summer term. 

Our gap year expedition to the Empty Quarter of Oman is one step up from our Summer Expeditions, with more advanced fieldwork projects and participants from a wider age range and a variety of social and academic backgrounds. This Expedition will challenge and stimulate school leavers, giving them learning opportunities that are sure to impact positively on their next steps.

We are also setting up school talks for our 2013 summer expeditions for the new academic year beginning in September.
 
These expeditions are for individuals who are between the age of 16 & 20, they will be heading into the field in the summer holidays of the 2012 - 2013 academic year to the Indian Himalayas, Arctic Norway and the Ugab Brandberg region of Namibia.
 
We would be delighted to arrange for a past Explorer or Leader to come in and talk to your students about our upcoming opportunities. If you would like more information please contact Gina (gina@bses.org.uk) our Marketing Manager.