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TOPtoTOP Expedition in the outback visiting schools in Alpha, Aramac, Barcaldine, Jericho and Muttaburra

After starting the expedition from Switzerland, the TOPtoTOP team has since accomplished climbing to the highest TOP in Europe, Mont Blanc, and the highest TOP in South America, Aconcagua, and a recent venture up Mt Kosciusko! They also attempted the highest TOP in Antarctica, Mount Vinson; however after a close encounter with a floating shipping container, with a year of repairs in Chile, Mount Vinson has been rescheduled to be their last stop. The Swiss couple Sabine and Dario Schwoerer just took part in the famous Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race!

In Bass Strait they got 3 fronts just on the nose. During this fight against the elements an object hit the rudder again.

In January on the way towards Brisbane, the boat cracked its rudder in front of the Seaway. The hit in Bass Strait was graver than they expected in the first place!

The Gold Coast City Marina in Coomera supported them to fix their rudder.  At the moment they are visiting schools in the Barcaldine Regional Council area.

TOPtoTOP Global Climate Expedition began in 2002, and is a non-profit organisation of volunteers from 28 nations, based in Switzerland, under the patronage of the United Nations Environment Program and the Swiss Government. The yacht, PACHAMAMA, (Incan word for “Mother Earth”), is equipped with 11 Solar Panels and 2 Wind turbines, making it THE example for the cruising world, demonstrating what is possible in extreme conditions with smart renewable technologies.

Their challenge is to travel to the highest peak in each seven continents, connecting all the major climate zones, using only their own strength and natural energy such as the wind and the sun. This unique initiative is based on environmental sustainability and to prove that great things can be achieved in balance with nature.

The goal of the expedition is to bring awareness of environmental issues, to promote the search for environmentally compatible solutions and to encourage the start of projects beneficial to the environment.

A major part of their mission is to inspire children to achieve a better future. They share examples of nature’s beauty and innovations for a green planet in class rooms all over the world and also give presentations to universities, service clubs and other organisations throughout the world. Already, they have taught over 35,000 Children across the globe! Alpha, Aramac, Barcaldine, Jericho and Muttaburra schools are the last school so far. They teach students about the importance of nature and give them various fun projects to learn all about sustainability. The students are then encouraged to express their own ideas about how we can care more for our environment and climate in the TOPtoTOP International Climate Solution Contest.

TOPtoTOP has chosen this expedition as an adventurous means to create awareness of global climate change and inspire the world to research and support lasting, environmentally friendly solutions. To expand the reach of this expedition and its aim, TOPtoTOP is working closely with the media, scientists and business worldwide.

Another aspect of the expedition is the active participation with the “clean up the world” campaign based in Sydney. They have done cleans ups at each of their destinations, and are planning a big clean up event at their next stop; EVEREST! It is estimated that the TOPtoTOP expedition has collected 15 tonnes of waste so far!

All these amazing achievements would never have been made possible without the generous support of their sponsors, particularly their two major sponsors SGS and Victorinox. SGS and Victorinox have both been actively involved in getting PACHAMAMA ready for participation in the race! Their amazing support is a crucial aspect of the success of the TOPtoTOP expedition. Both companies are great examples of organisations that are increasingly embracing the principles of environmental sustainability in their planning, reporting and decision-making.

Special thanks also to QantasLink, Queensland Rail, Barcaldine Regional Council and SGS for their sponsorship.

For further information and live updates on the expedition’s progress, please visit the TOPtoTOP website: www.toptotop.org

To arrange free school visits and public presentations or for film material, pictures and interviews with the team, kindly contact us:

Email: dario@toptotop.org or Rob Chandler, Mayor of Barcaldine Regional Council 042 7512 314