Finishing the Empty Quarter Expedition
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Alastair Humphreys
Dec 21, 2012, 5:09:25 AM12/21/12
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Good morning,
I should be writing this from Antarctica. Instead I'm in the crazy world of Dubai. Such is the world of expeditions. Out of the window the sunshine is reflecting from the world's tallest building. The top of this extraordinary skyscraper was the end point of my latest expedition (more trip background here). It was an unusual ending point, but a very impressive one. After walking 1000 miles through the Empty Quarter desert, my expedition partner Leon McCarron and I wanted a finale that really highlighted the incredible changes that have taken place in Arabia since Wilfred Thesiger's expeditions here in the 1940's. Thesiger's book 'Arabian Sands' was the original inspiration for our expedition.
The main aim of the expedition was to produce a short film comparing our adventure and our experiences in Arabia with Thesiger's. Working on the film is my top priority for 2013.
It was a difficult journey, but wonderful too. We hauled a cart containing food, equipment and water - weighing up to 300kg - from Salalah in Oman to Dubai in the UAE. After Christmas I will begin writing about the expedition on my blog, posting photos and video clips too.
I have done three major expeditions this year. I began the year by rowing across the Atlantic Ocean, then headed for the Greenland icecap before finishing the year trekking through the Empty Quarter desert. On the surface they appear very different. (I have attached a photo from each expedition for comparison.) But actually they were very similar journeys.They all contained a hearty dose of misery, as well as all the laughs and memorable moments that make expeditions so rewarding. They were all self-sufficient journeys in harsh environments where safety and success depended completely on careful decisions, good equipment, and excellent team mates. Thank you then to Marin, Simon, Steve, Martin, Ben and Leon for some epic memories.
2012 has been a busy year for me and I want to thank everyone for their support. For coming to my talks, for reading my books. I really appreciate it. If you are planning expeditions of your own, or if I can help in any other way, please don't hesitate to get in touch (via email or Twitter).
I also hope that you have enjoyed my blog over the past year. The latest post is urging people to commit to a public New Year's Resolution. What's your bold plan for 2013...?!
Merry Christmas to everyone, whether you are shivering in Antarctica or sweating in Arabia!
Alastair
I should be writing this from Antarctica. Instead I'm in the crazy world of Dubai. Such is the world of expeditions. Out of the window the sunshine is reflecting from the world's tallest building. The top of this extraordinary skyscraper was the end point of my latest expedition (more trip background here). It was an unusual ending point, but a very impressive one. After walking 1000 miles through the Empty Quarter desert, my expedition partner Leon McCarron and I wanted a finale that really highlighted the incredible changes that have taken place in Arabia since Wilfred Thesiger's expeditions here in the 1940's. Thesiger's book 'Arabian Sands' was the original inspiration for our expedition.
The main aim of the expedition was to produce a short film comparing our adventure and our experiences in Arabia with Thesiger's. Working on the film is my top priority for 2013.
It was a difficult journey, but wonderful too. We hauled a cart containing food, equipment and water - weighing up to 300kg - from Salalah in Oman to Dubai in the UAE. After Christmas I will begin writing about the expedition on my blog, posting photos and video clips too.
I have done three major expeditions this year. I began the year by rowing across the Atlantic Ocean, then headed for the Greenland icecap before finishing the year trekking through the Empty Quarter desert. On the surface they appear very different. (I have attached a photo from each expedition for comparison.) But actually they were very similar journeys.They all contained a hearty dose of misery, as well as all the laughs and memorable moments that make expeditions so rewarding. They were all self-sufficient journeys in harsh environments where safety and success depended completely on careful decisions, good equipment, and excellent team mates. Thank you then to Marin, Simon, Steve, Martin, Ben and Leon for some epic memories.
2012 has been a busy year for me and I want to thank everyone for their support. For coming to my talks, for reading my books. I really appreciate it. If you are planning expeditions of your own, or if I can help in any other way, please don't hesitate to get in touch (via email or Twitter).
I also hope that you have enjoyed my blog over the past year. The latest post is urging people to commit to a public New Year's Resolution. What's your bold plan for 2013...?!
Merry Christmas to everyone, whether you are shivering in Antarctica or sweating in Arabia!
Alastair
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