Speakers Series 2026 – Bob Henderson & Margot Peck

The Anti-Expedition – A Journey Through Time to a Sacred Valley

This story takes place in a hidden, sacred valley – in a Nepalese Beyul known as The Rolwaling Valley. A group of travellers in 2023 hike deep into the valley to return a 50 plus year-old film to a Tibetan Sherpa community. The film they carry, The Anti-Expedition of 1971, was made by three prominent Norwegian mountaineers, who once led an anti-expedition to NOT attempt to summit the valley’s sacred mountain, Tseringma. They helped stall the first summit of the mountain for eight years. It stands as an ahead of its time journey of ecotourism and purposeful travel beyond ‘summitting peaks’; but rather to honour local traditions. The journey lay the foundations for a ecophilosophy in the 1970s. The trio were influenced by the equilibrium society they encountered in the valley and went on to influence other travellers and stand at the forefront of the burgeoning environmental movement. By returning to the film’s origin, the 2023 group hope to find some answers amidst a global eco-social crisis where travel must be reimagined. Purposeful travel, slow adventure and cultural immersion speak to new trends in travel/tourism.

Seamlessly blends the past and present of what an anti-expedition was and can now be in Nepal’s Rolwaling Valley. Merging adventure and respect, the film illustrates the importance, rewards and richness of lasting authentic connections with locals and their culture.

Patti Shales Lefkos and Barry Hodgins
Nepal One Day at a Time

Both Bob Henderson and Margot Peck are educators who have followed the careers of the 1971 Norwegian travellers featured in this documentary. Bob, retired university prof, has a stellar career involving outdoor education, travel heritage & guiding, and environmental philosophy, as well as being the author/co-editor of books on these themes. Bob has taught at a variety of Canadian Universities, mainly at McMaster University. He is the author/co-editor of many books on these themes; notably for this presentation, Nature First: Outdoor Life the Friluftsliv Way and Ecophilosophy Fragments. (A tribute to Sigmund Kvaloy Setreng-one of the 3 1971 travellers).

The film is accompanied by the book, Ways to Go: Reconsidering Travel as told through Two Himalaya Adventures, 1971-2023. Embark on a fascinating journey through time and philosophy with “Ways to Go,” a compelling exploration of travel in Nepal’s majestic Himalayas. This thought-provoking book, published by Your Nickel’s Worth Publishing, weaves together two remarkable adventures spanning across 50 years. The narrative connects a groundbreaking 1971 Norwegian “antiexpedition” with a 2023 return journey to a remote Sherpa community near the sacred Tseringma mountain. More than just a travel account, this book delves deep into the principles of ecophilosophy and its enduring relevance in today’s world. Through vivid storytelling and remembrances, it examines how mindful, joy-filled approaches to travel can illuminate paths forward in our uncertain times. The book offers readers a unique perspective on slow travel, cultural connection, and the timeless wisdom found in the shadow of the world’s highest peaks. Perfect for adventure enthusiasts, philosophy lovers, and anyone seeking to understand travel’s deeper meaning in our modern world.

In “The Anti Expedition”, the rugged, Himalayan landscape ‘comes alive’ as one’s understanding of the valley deepens. As the travelers make meaningful human connections – learning from the Rinpoche, as well as their Nepalese guide – they discover the role that tourism can play in connecting and preserving cultures into an uncertain future. And, how this is perhaps the best hope we have to ensure that some of the world’s wildness remains sacred and to combat over-tourism.