One perk of my job is that I can endlessly daydream about the "next big adventure" and call it hard work or even research. Admittedly, at times, it is a little unproductive. However, all it takes is for one very small idea to take hold and very soon it snowballs into something massive (and I think pretty bloody cool!)
My next undertaking is the "7 rivers, 7 continents" project - an attempt to make human-powered descents of the longest river on every continent. I figure I have already ticked one of the toughest off the list, why don't I man up and finish the rest?
Unless someone can prove to me otherwise the remaining 6 rivers to run are as follows (with continent and approximate* length):
Amazon River (South America) - 6937 km (4300 miles) - completed 2007/2008
Nile River (Africa) - 6650 km (4132 miles)
Yangtze River (Asia) - 6300 km (3916 miles)
Mississippi-Missouri River (North America) - 6275 km (3912 miles)
Volga River (Europe) - 3645 km (2266 miles)
Murray-Darling River (Australia) - 3370 km (2904 miles)
Onyx River (Antarctica) - 40 km (25 miles)
*Distances are up for debate
Piece of cake! I am super excited and super kaking myself over these descents to come. This project is a big commitment. It will take a good few years of my life to complete and put me at a pretty high degree of risk. A lot of people will tell me it is impossible, that I will die in the attempt, blah blah blah. At the end of it, not many people will care and because I am not a celebrity not many people will even know about it. I will spend the majority of my time on the rivers alternating between the below.
But, I will know what I have managed to do and I will be stoked. The people who matter will know and will be stoked. It will allow me to continue doing what I love for the rest of my life. Perfect!
More details to come about the project. Suffice to say it is a decent undertaking. All my expeditions are independent. You cannot book a place with an outfitter and run these rivers. Ha! Not possible. From start to finish I must plan, implement and execute every single part of the descents - transport, logistics, mapping, customs, risk, equipment, teams, safety, marketing, media, website, photography, filming etc. Bloody heck! All that? Over the coming weeks I will try to put the rivers into perspective without using (where possible!) the superlatives that are all too readily bandied about these days (first, biggest, toughest, strongest, fastest etc).
What do you reckon? Is it a worthy project?
Simply awesome. I am blown away.
This is epic, and I take my hat off to you.
I would say that, although your livelihood depends on publicity and a degree of external interest in what you do, as you identify, what matters most is your enjoyment and fulfillment.
The magnitude and essence of your undertaking will speak for themselves. I for one will be watching with great interest.
You’re insane! However, the concept has me buzzing at the thought of it. Best of luck to you!
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Can I come with you on the Onyx run? .. oh and the Nile, and the Murray, too! I’ve done a stretch of the Yangtze .. stunning around the Three Gorges.
Well done mate – you’ve hit on a brilliant project!
I’d love to join you sometime – sounds awesome.
Al
Thanks kindly folks. I am amped for it, but until I actually do it they are just words on a page. However, intent and commitment to a goal are both part of the battle. Frankly, I am most excited about the Onyx and not just cause it is 40km long! (wel maybe a little because of that).
A long, hard road ahead but that is why is signed up to this gig (and so I could surf the net and call it work!)
Brilliant…good work Mate. If you need someone to cut your oranges on any of these let me know!
That’s a bold ambition my friend. Would have expected nothing less.
Looking forward to seeing how the Onyx pans out.
Mark Kalch
“Armchair explorers bore me” – a magic quote from @alexhibbert
Your livelyhood does depend on publicity and a degree of external interest.
Love it Mark. Fantastic idea. Make sure you’re around in August for beers first though. Keep up the dreaming…
Ed x
lunatic! i am up for the mighty pioneer river! the rest i will proudly follow with amazement! again!! go for it buff
Tyler, I believe the “armchair explorers” that Alex was referring to were those who, from the comfort and anonymity of their computer, would position themselves as experts and seek to pass judgement on those that are simply doing something they love. Bit rough to be attacked by the likes of those don’t you reckon mate?
i love it too. i will try next year to cross canada by canoe. i like the idea of travelling by the water.
Just a question : are you doing this for the fact of doing it and be the first one or to enjoy the country, the nature and the adventure ?
Bastien, I am doing it to enjoy the country, the nature and the adventure! If I am first as a consequence, then that is cool but it is not my motivation for undertaking the expeditions. The sad truth is that a majority of the public would regard the Seven Summits to be a more difficult task then what I am attempting. Very sad! Up against that, what does it matter if I were to be the first?
No, for me it is the adventure, the nature and the people for sure!
No, there is no problem beeing the first of course. But i notice that there is a lot of people who start adventure trying to be the first in something only to get media coverage or get sponsors. But be the first is now an objective to lots of people, and people start adventure because they will be the first and not because they love the challenge. media are part of the circle, they want records or world first.
i like what you are doing because it is very deversified and that you are tipically not a “armchair explorer” that gives himself lots of beautifoul words or prestige. But lots of travellers, adventurers and so on bore me too…
I followed your iranian trip, and i am sure you enjoyed the interactions with the people. i travelled 2 month by bike in iran trough dasht-e-kavir desert and like it too.
For me adventure is a part to discover ourselves, a part to dicover the country, nature and people, a part to learn, a part to make people dream, and a part to push the limits.
i will follow the project. If you need some help in french, please feel free to ask.
“For me adventure is a part to discover ourselves, a part to dicover the country, nature and people, a part to learn, a part to make people dream, and a part to push the limits.”
Bastien, I think this is the exact same reasons for me! Some publicity is of course necessary if you are to make a living, but so long as you are honest and true with your aims and achievements then that is fine I reckon.
Cheers. Where in France are you? I live close to Biarritz.
I live in marseille.
You have really really nice adventures in front of you! Congratulations once more. I am thirsty for some more details
.
?
What will be your main river vehicle, raft, kayaks, hydrospeed, speedos
Ha! No speedos Especially not on the Onyx! My method of travel will be a little varied. For the whitewater of course rafts, but for flatwater sections I have leanrt the hard way that a whitewater raft converted for this travel is not so fast. So in all likelihood on flatwater I will use seakayaks or touring kayaks. Might be with a few modifications (eg. to allow a couple of boats to raft up together for stability etc). However, depending on the river I also have some other ideas, like perhaps using a Stand-up Paddle board (not on the Nile!). We shall see!
Sounds like a great idea to me. Have you read Jefferey Tayler’s book “Facing the Congo” about his trip up the Congo River in the early ’90s? Although I’m certainly no seasoned kayaker, it’s been an inspiration for me to find a great river to kayak…I’m planning on running the length of the ‘other’ Colorado River. It’s the only river that starts & ends in one state. It’ll be my 1st expedition. I hope you’ll write more about your planning process for your 7 Rivers expedition ’cause that’s something struggling with.
Hi Rich,
I’ve not seen Jefferey’s book but I might hunt it down. The Congo is a big, big river. It’s output is second only to the Amazon. Running any river is a great adventure and I am def. looking forward to all of mine.
For sure, I will be putting up all my planning stages, trial and tribulations on the way. Hope it will help out. If you have any questions right now just let me know. Happy to help out if I can.
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Are you planning to fundraise for a charity?
Amazing expedition, we wish you the best of luck and look forward to following your progress.
Hi Heidi,
I have not planned to link my project with charities at this stage. As much as I admire those that do, it is not the direction I am headed in. But you just never know…
Thanks for your best wishes. Pretty stoked! I will also be following yours and Robert’s trip across Greenland.
Mark
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Just the thought of running the Nile from source to sea gets me excited… awesome expedition mate!
Gets me pretty stoked as well as gives me a good dose of adrenalin every time I think about it as well mate! Planning goes on.
Nice project!! A massive undertaking. Be very impressive seeing it pulled off. Of these rivers are there any that have not ever been paddled at all from source to sea?? And are we talking Blue Nile or the whole Shebangabang from lake Vic?
Best of luck!!!
Hey Miguel, cheers! Source to sea is such a technical term that if I really wanted I am sure I could put a spin on a good few of them to say they have not. Amazon obviously has been, Murray, Nile has been done in total in sections by the same team (and yeh, I will have a crack at the whole Nile, even the trib leading into Lake Vic).
Big undertaking and massively exciting. Missouri-Mississippi up next in May. Stoked!
Awesome bro! Thanks for that. Again, mighty impressed with the gameplan. Hope everything goes swimmingly (figuratively speaking of course).
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