Participants
Niamh Hope, Lucy Whittles, Kathryn Davies, James Downing, Harley Geraghty and Harris Green
Our team expedition to the Kaunertal region of the Austrian Alps enabled us to conduct primary data collection which has laid the foundations for our undergraduate Physical Geography dissertations. The collective purpose of our expedition is to understand how the retreating Gepatschferner has influence over the geographical factors and processes occurring within the catchment and its surrounding areas the surrounding catchment, such as vegetation growth, sediment transportation in proglacial streams and river pollution.
The expedition was predominantly successful, despite some of the difficulties that we faced. This entailed larger personal monetary contributions due to an unexpected daily bus fare. Two members of the group, Niamh and Lucy, altered the focus of their glacier-based studies due to a collapsed bridge and demanding alternative route. Fortunately, alongside their dissertation mentors, they were able to produce new feasible research objectives. Towards the end of the expedition, we adjusted the remaining days in our timetable in accordance with the weather forecast, due to several thunderstorms, landslides and consequent road closures blocking our access to the field. Therefore, despite a string of unforeseen challenges, we adapted effectively to ensure the overall success of our data collection.
Funded by:
Newcastle University Expeditions Committee, The Royal Geography Society, The Sonia Stonehouse Expedition Fund, The Gilchrist Educational Trust.
Project Supervisor: Dr Rachel Carr