Just before lockdown and whilst I had a couple of weeks free, I decided last minute, to book myself a direct flight, from Manchester to Phuket.

Ash has flown back to China, only two weeks after his three-week speaking tour across Asia for the International Dulwich Colleges.
This time it’s to present at the prestigious TEDx Talk in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.

What a rollercoaster of complete and utter awesomeness it’s been, since completing Mission Yangtze!
I’ve not really had much time to sit back and reflect, but I’m cool with that, as I’d much prefer to keep busy and continue the ball rolling with many events, activities and plans.

Ash Dykes (28) crossed the finish line in Shanghai 08.30am BST, having traversed Yangtze River in China in what is his third world first at 24 traversed 1,500-mile length of Mongolia, with 18 stone survival trailer, solo and unsupported, in just 78 days.

It feels surreal to be this close to finishing.

There has been so much energy, effort, time, blood, sweat and fear put not only into the one year of undergoing the expedition but also two years beforehand, for the planning, training and logistics.

After an exciting chapter, where Ash pushed on from Chongqing, through to Wanzhou, Fengjie, Yichang, Yueyang, he now reaches Wuhan (one of China’s megacities, known as one of the furnace cities, as temperatures can reach 40DC, plus humidity on top).

A 155 day Mission of 1,600 miles, becoming the first person to trek the entire length of Madagascar’s interior, whilst summiting the eight highest mountains along the way.

Ash is excited to report that he arrived at his second major milestone during Mission Yangtze over the weekend, as he attempts to create history with a third world-first record, this time walking the entire 4,000 mile length of the Yangtze river in China.

Ash has reached the first major bend in the river, its southernmost point, where it takes a sharp 90 degree turn and flows to the northeast in the province of Yunnan, the third province Ash has entered, having previously trekked through Qinghai and Sichuan, and has noticed some environmental surprises as he makes his way along the river.

Ash’s world record-setting #MissionYangtze promises to be one of the most digitally engaging expeditions in history and today we’re helping deliver on that promise by launching a Live Tracker on Ash’s website so you can see where he is in real-time.

#MissionYangtze is officially underway! Ash has started his world record-breaking adventure travelling 4,000 miles on foot along the length of the Yangtze river.