My Expeditions
Much the same as Burton’s quote, when you set off on expedition, a huge weight is lifted. Life is so much simpler. Set yourself an objective and it is up to you to achieve it. No-one else has a hand in it. You decide. You choose – success or failure.
Expedition Iran
Solo North to South 2009/2010
As an adventurer and explorer the biggest question I get asked after the inevitable, WHY?, must be, WHAT’S NEXT? That’s easy. Walk solo, lightweight from the northern border of the Islamic Republic of Iran to it’s southerly border in the Persian Gulf. Of course!
In November 2009, I set out from the border between this beautiful country and the Republic of Azerbaijan in the far north. Over the ensuing months I headed south-east through subtropical forest, mountain ranges, plateau and desert on course for the Persian Gulf. Just myself, my pack and a notebook. Nothing more.
Why? (How did I know you were going to ask that?) The Islamic Republic of Iran is a country shrouded still, in much mystery and western bias. I am not a crusader for any belief or stance. However, the majority view of this country, has come about by much mis-representation by government and media.
I traveled there to live amongst it’s people, journey through it’s amazing geography and experience what was, once upon time, the greatest empire on earth. I walked for 60 days and covered nearly 1700km, camping alone in the mountains and desert or stayed with the generous people who populated these areas.
Iran is a beautiful country with inspiring people. I would urge everyone to rethink any negative views they have of this nation. Forget the government for a second, they do not stand for a population of 70 million people. Look past it and you will find an amazing place.
To retrace my journey through Iran click HERE .
Expedition Amazonas
A journey from source to sea, Peru and Brasil 2007/2008
What can I say that will give this expedition justice? In many ways it has helped define my life, my direction. Something with such power is special indeed.
Our team spent 153 days covering 6800km by trekking, paddling and rowing from the source of the Amazon in the Andes of Peru to the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Brasil. We became just the 4th successful team and persons 7 and 8, to achieve this feat.
This was a completely independent expedition, planned and carried out by just our small team (with the help of some brilliant equipment sponsors). No support team, camera crew or local fixers to smooth our path (I’m looking at you Bruce Parry!). We started the journey proper with a team of 3, but, with some 4500km still to cover, our team medic, Phil, was struck down with a mystery virus and forced to return home to South Africa. This left my remaining team mate, Nathe and I to row, at times, 24 hours a day, in alternating 6 hour shifts to reach our goal. Among other trials, we suffered acute mountain sickness, dysentery, were shot at by both the military and narco-terroristas, survived a month of nightmarish whitewater and battled a tidal river that became in the final month more than 30km wide.
It is difficult to condense into a few short paragraphs the experience of this endeavour. The changing geography, from 5000m+ mountain ranges, inescapable deep gorge whitewater, desert canyons, cloud forest and finally the Amazon Basin itself, complete with jungle cities of 2 million plus people. The amazing people who inhabit these changing lands, the Quechuan, the Achuar, the frontiersmen, loggers, miners, fisherman, farmers and more, made the journey all the more memorable.
I will never forget the times spent on the river. The most frightening and exhausting days I have ever had, but also by far the most memorable.
Omo River Expedition
Omo River Valley, Ethiopia 2007
In January 2007 I travelled to Ethiopia to follow part of the Omo River in Southern Ethiopia. This month long expedition took us first to the base of Mount Mago close to the Neri River which feeds into the Omo. We would follow the Neri River to where it joined the Omo, following this mighty river east and then north as far as we could manage.
From the outset it was clear we were in for a battle. Approach to small tributaries was met with hundreds of metres of 10-foot walls of thorn bush, all but inpenetrable. Approach to the Omo multiplied this to more than a kilometre. A change in route at the insistence of a new tribesmen friend meant losing one scout and all our cooking pots. The remainder of the journey saw us on dry rice, salt, sugar and the generosity of the few villages we encountered.
Cold windy nights with hyenas and lions literally at the tent door, elephants and buffalo on the move. Melting hot days of dust, swamps and thorns. Heat exhaustion, thirst, hunger. Lost far from the river. Intimidation via machete and AK47. Smiling, dancing, friendly people. A true expedition and wondrous exploration.
Southern Ethiopia is a wild and beautiful place. An area where opposing tribes continue to raid each other’s villages and steal cattle, women and children. Where the power of the gun, machete and spear rules supreme. Where malnutrition, starvation and illness is commonplace. In spite of this the people who inhabit these lands are still wonderfully happy, generous and optimistic. The natural environment is still for the most part untouched by development in any form. It is this that makes the region such an amazing place to explore.
