A SEDBERGH teenager will be taking on the “journey of her lifetime” by embarking on a wild expedition to the Himalayas.

Sixteen-year-old Maisie Gough, head girl at the town’s Settlebeck School, will be travelling to Asia where she will study the effects of climate change, as well as taking part in a wide range of scientific fieldwork at one of the highest stations in the world.

However, before she sets off on her journey, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s young ranger has set herself a target of raising £5,000 and will attempt to complete a number of physical challenges to help fund the trip.

In June, Maisie will walk the full length of the Lake District, an 80-kilometre route starting at Gawthwaite with more than 6,000 metres of ascent.

As an explorer Maisie will be doing the course solo and unsupported, which means she will have to carry all of her own equipment including a tent, food and a sleeping bag.

However, to be excited for this adventure would be considered as an underestimation in Maisie’s books.

“I am very much looking forward to the sense of freedom,” she said.

“I am very excited about the challenge and of undertaking the journey alone.

“The chance to go to the Himalayas would definitely be a dream come true. I still can’t believe it is going to happen. The idea of being in such a wild place, surrounded by big beautiful mountains would be amazing.”

The ‘length of the Lakes’ route will initially involve walking along part of the Cumbria way to Torver and she will then work her way over the following peaks: Old Man of Coniston, Swirl How, Pike O’ Blisco, Crinkle Crags, Bow Fell, Scafell Pike, Great Gable, Dale Head, Maiden Moor, Catbells, Skiddaw, Sale How and High Pike.

As a young ranger for the YNDPA, Maisie has taken part in a number of conservation tasks to help care for her local environment. The money raised through her fundraiser will go towards her expedition with The British Exploring Society.

The society is a youth development charity which uses expeditions as a vehicle to advance the education of young people by developing their confidence, teamwork, leadership and spirit of adventure and exploration.

The Himalayas expedition, which will be in 2020, has a strong emphasis on mountain climbing and exploration together with scientific data recording and interpretation of that natural environment.

To donate to Maisie’s justgiving page go to: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lengthofthelakes