The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) today announced the successful completion of the ‘Footsteps of Thesiger’ expedition. After 44 days and covering a grueling 1,600km from Salalah, Oman to Abu Dhabi, Adrian Hayes, the British explorer, along with two Emiratis, Saeed Rashed Al Mesafry and Ghafan Mohammed Al Jabry, rode through the city of Abu Dhabi completing their epic adventure at the Corniche.
Closely following the route taken by the great explorer, Sir Wilfred Thesiger, the team left the tropical forests of Salalah, Oman, in late October, before successfully navigating one of the biggest bodies of sand on earth, the Rub’ al Khail or ‘the Empty Quarter’.
Relying on basic provisions, nature and Bedouin hospitality, the team passed through a number of key historical sites that Thesiger visited during his Arabian travels in the 1940s including Shihr once known for its frankincense trail. In Mughshin the team spent the night in the same lodging as Thesiger did, before moving towards Umm As Samim, the dangerous quick sand area on the eastern edge of the Rub’ Al Khali. Today the team commenced their final leg of the trip from the Maqta Fort where Thesiger orginally crossed into Abu Dhabi.
The team has overcome a number of challenges including commencing the trek in tropical cyclone Keila, crossing flooded wadis and coping with limited food supplies. Often trekking in excess of 11 hours per day, covering distances of 40 to 45km, the Emirati team members, Saeed Rashed Al Mesafry and Ghafan Mohammed Al Jabry, provided Adrian with invaluable camel handling and desert survival training which were needed to complete this challenging expedition.
Humbled by the traditional hospitality the team received along the route, Saeed Rashed Al Mesafry, commented: “This expedition made us feel like brothers, we faced so many obstacles together and we learned from each other’s experiences. Finally we are home, I am very happy to make it that far, but I feel some sadness as I am missing the desert but I am also looking forward for the celebrations.”
Ghafan Mohammed Al Jabry, added, “Our journey went well, we are feeling tired but full of happiness. The final few week were amazing, we have felt the spirit of the desert talking to us again.”
World record-breaking adventurer, Adrian Hayes commented: “I feel incredibly privileged to have undertaken such a special experience. It is a lot different from 65 years ago when ‘Mubarak Bin London’ visited Arabia, but I have so much respect for the journey he undertook.”
“The Arabic hospitality has been overwhelming. We knew we would be welcomed but the hospitality we have received along the way was incredible. I am lucky to see sights that only few people get to experience – the real Arabic culture and true Bedouin traditions.”
“One of the highlights was trekking South of Liwa where there were no vehicles and we were cut off from all modern day living and truly got to experience the beauty and serenity of the desert.”
The Footstep of Thesiger expedition would not be possible without the support of the Patron and Presenting Partner - ADACH. Official Expedition Partners include the UAE Armed Forces,
Abu Dhabi Police, Abu Dhabi Municipality, Motivate Publishing, holders of the Thesiger archives; Abu Dhabi Media; Twofour Arabia; Thuraya and Xtralink.
SEVENXP, the lifestyle marketing division of Professional Sports Group, will be coordinating the media platform of the expedition which will deliver international PR coverage worldwide.
