Meet the man set to conquer one of the most unexplored areas on Earth
He sets off from the end of August for 50 days.
He’s survived malaria, experienced hallucinations from dehydration, and been confronted at gunpoint before – but now Ash Dykes is set to take on a new challenge.
The 33-year-old from north Wales will head to one of the most unexplored regions and greenest countries on the planet, deep in the Amazon rainforest – Suriname.
Over a period of 50 days from the end of August he will scale the country’s two highest peaks and kayak from the Coppename River’s source to the sea.
But he’s got another challenge on his hands – he has to find it first.
The area has only ever been mapped by satellites, meaning solely inaccurate coordinates have been recorded due to the jungle canopy.
If he is successful, Ash will achieve three Guinness World Records – two for speed and one world-first – the first person to go through Suriname.
Reflecting on what first inspired him to become an adventurer as a little boy, he told Metro.co.uk: ‘When I was young, I used to watch adventure TV shows and see images of things across the world like the Alps and the Great Wall of China.
‘My granddad also used to live in Pakistan and then India and although I’ve only met him a few times he shared incredible travel stories with me.
‘I feel like my sense to explore the world is in my DNA and followed what I was exposed to growing up.’
Ash is no stranger to adventure at all and has pushed his own boundaries many times before.
He has trekked 1,490 miles across Mongolia, hiked the length of Madagascar which is 1,615 miles, and also explored the entirety of Yangtze River in China which is 4,000 miles long.
But Ash’s time in Suriname will see him face a whole new challenge.
He said: ‘Suriname will be different because there is no current accurate satellite imagery for the area.
‘This feels like a new opportunity and a throwback to old school exploration like I’m back in the 1800s.
‘My focus and awareness is going to have to be 100% 24/7 because of the density of the rainforest.’
Ash now works as an explorer for a living and has reached an audience of 1.1 billion people across the world through his work on television.
He said the main reason behind wanting to keep doing his challenges is to ‘adapt’ and constantly change.
‘I view these challenges like a career and how I’m always climbing up the career ladder,’ he said.
‘Each time I take on a new challenge I learn to adapt and minimise the risks each time.
‘As part of this adaptation, I will be live streaming parts of my expedition on social media.
‘I really feel like it is important for other people to join my journey with me in whatever way they can.’
On his travels Ash has experienced other difficult moments like being bitten by spiders and leeches, and overcoming bears, blizzards, and being followed by a pack of wolves.
But it is thoughts closer to home that keep him motivated through the tough times.
He said: ‘My memories and previous experiences of being with the people I love at home is what keeps me motivated.
‘When you are isolated and feeling lonely in remote parts of the world, it is the small things you think about and crave.
‘Usually I can predict when things are taking a turn for the worst now so I can prepare for it.’
For the future, Ash is not necessarily too fussed about beating more world records.
Instead he wants to spend time in places that he has a genuine interest in exploring.
He said he will also be focused on sharing his journey with everybody else through social media and video.
You can follow Ash’s journey which begins on August 20 on his Instagram @ash_dykes and on X @AshDykes.
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