An update directly from the side of the Yangtze River, in China: I am now 88% through Mission Yangtze! I only have around 520 miles remaining of the 4,000-mile trek.

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).

During his Mission Yangtze UK adventurer ASH DYKES is not only focussing on ‘walking the Yangtze’ but he is also trying to interact with people along the way, giving interviews or speeches in order to share all aspects of the journey so far.

You know, as strange as it sounds, training is something I miss most.
I’m currently leaving Dali as I write this and I feel so refreshed due to dedicating that weeks visa run to refuelling my body with all the good stuff and working on body mobility, agility and flexibility. Especially after being stuck in such a fixed position for a long time (trekking with a weighted rucksack constantly strapped to my back).

On 23rd March, Ash was flown to Shanghai by WUJI, which is a cobranded clothing range between Adidas and international Movie Star Jet Li.

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.

When originally mapping the route and planning the mission, Yibin seemed such a huge distance away, that I remember not really planning Panzhihua to Yibin in much detail, believing it wouldn't be too difficult. I was wrong and although no way near as tough as the first couple of months, it still had its challenges and this section took me an extra two weeks longer than anticipated.

I’ve had many people ask me what the food is like over here, so I’ve put together a small blog describing the varied foods that I’ve come across so far.

Death-defying British adventurer Ash Dykes has today reached safety at the halfway point of his mammoth world first expedition, having faced immense threats to his safety whilst attempting to walk the entire length of China’s Yangtze River in just a year.

Ash shares a rare and deeply honest glimpse into the behind-the-scenes work that goes into Mission Yangtze as he reflects on 2018 and being away from home for Christmas. In the spirit of a true world-first adventurer and pioneer, he also has his sights and his determination firmly set on what lies ahead in 2019: the successful completion of his expedition!