Welsh adventurer Ash Dykes has officially begun one of his most dangerous challenges yet, a more than 700-kilometre journey by inflatable kayak through the heart of the Congo Basin.
Dykes set off from Nola in the Central African Republic, following the remote Sangha River toward Mossaka in the Republic of the Congo, where the river meets the Congo River. The expedition is expected to take between three and four weeks.
The journey marks the first mission of Project 6, Dykes’ ambitious plan to complete six extreme expeditions across six different environments over 12 months. The remaining five missions have yet to be revealed.
A JOURNEY THROUGH ONE OF THE WORLD’S TOUGHEST WILDERNESSES
Dykes is travelling with a local guide and a UK-based videographer, carrying inflatable kayaks that can be deflated and transported on foot when sections of the river become too dangerous to navigate.
And there is plenty to worry about.
The Sangha River and surrounding rainforest are home to hippos, Nile crocodiles, forest elephants, gorillas, snakes and other wildlife. The team must also contend with malaria, other infections, extreme heat and humidity, potentially unsafe water and long stretches where medical help could be days away.
For Dykes, hippos are among the biggest threats on the water, particularly because an inflatable kayak cannot match the speed or manoeuvrability needed to escape quickly.
But the explorer has also acknowledged that the greatest danger could be making a mistake in an environment where the consequences can be severe.
THE EXPEDITION ALMOST STALLED BEFORE IT STARTED
Getting to the river was an adventure of its own.
After travelling from London to Cameroon, Dykes and his team discovered that essential luggage had gone missing. The bags contained kayak pumps as well as tents, food and water.
The equipment was eventually recovered, allowing the team to continue toward the expedition’s starting point. The journey also faced paperwork and travel complications before the crew reached Nola.
Now, with the river journey underway, Dykes is relying on his preparation, satellite communications, medical supplies and the knowledge of local communities.
He has also planned to learn from the BaAka people, whose generations of experience living in the rainforest could prove invaluable as the expedition moves deeper into the Congo Basin.
MORE THAN JUST AN EXTREME ADVENTURE
The expedition is part of a much bigger project for Dykes, who has previously completed major endurance challenges in Mongolia, Madagascar and along the Yangtze River.
Project 6 is designed not only to test human endurance but also to document the people, wildlife and environments encountered along the way.
For the next several weeks, Dykes and his small team will be navigating hundreds of kilometres of remote rainforest, with the river, wildlife and unpredictable conditions dictating what comes next.
HIGHLIGHTS
– 700+ kilometres: Dykes is travelling down the Sangha River by inflatable kayak.
– Route: Nola, Central African Republic, to Mossaka, Republic of the Congo.
– Duration: The journey is expected to take about three to four weeks.
– Major risks: Hippos, crocodiles, forest elephants, disease, extreme weather and isolation.
– Project 6: The Congo expedition is the first of six extreme missions planned over 12 months.
– Small team: Dykes is travelling with a local guide and a UK-based videographer.
– Expedition setback: Missing luggage containing vital equipment briefly delayed the mission.
TAKEAWAY
Ash Dykes is now deep into a challenge where there is little room for error. More than 700 kilometres of river, dangerous wildlife and vast stretches of rainforest stand between him and the finish line.
For the Welsh adventurer, the Congo Basin is not simply another record attempt, it is the opening chapter of a year-long test of endurance, survival and exploration.
