Ash Dykes is a British adventurer, explorer and extreme athlete.[1][2] He has achieved five official world records and four world first records, trekking solo & unsupported across Mongolia, hiking the length of Madagascar, he then achieved his third official record, becoming the first person to walk along the full 4,000-mile (6,400-kilometre) course of the Yangtze, the longest river in Asia.[3] And in October 2024, he became the first to kayak the length of the Coppename River from source to sea deep in the Amazon in Suriname, South America. He also led a team to become the fastest to summit the highest mountain in Suriname.
Ash Dykes | |
|---|---|
 Dykes in Wales | |
| Born | Ashley Philip Dykes |
| Nationality | British (Wales) |
| Occupation(s) | Adventurer, Extreme Athlete, Explorer |
| Known for | Five world records for trekking across Mongolia, Madagascar, The Yangtze River, kayaking the Coppename River in Suriname from source to sea and submitting the highest mountain in the fastest time. |
| Notable work | Walking The Yangtze with Ash Dykes
The Great Wall with Ash Dykes Alone in Mongolia with Ash Dykes Uncharted Suriname with Ash Dykes |
| Website | www.ashdykes.com |
Personal life
editDykes grew up in Old Colwyn, Wales. and also attended Ysgol Bryn Elian situated within the town.[4]
Career
editHe worked as a lifeguard to finance his first trip to China. He walked solo and unsupported across Mongolia in 2014, aged 23. The 1,500 mi (2,400 km) journey over the Altai Mountains and across the Gobi Desert took 78 days. He became known to locals as the "lonely snow leopard".[5]
In 2015 he completed the 1,600 mi (2,600 km) trek across Madagascar via its eight highest peaks, another world first.[6] Along the way, he contracted the deadliest strain of malaria and was close to death. As a result of the experience, he is now a special ambassador for the charity Malaria No More UK.[7]
He recounted his adventures in Mongolia and Madagascar in Mission Possible: A Decade of Living Dangerously, published by Eye Books in 2017.[8]
In August 2018, he embarked on another world-first record attempt, to walk the 4,000 mi (6,400 km) course of the Yangtze river.[9] The successful completion of his year-long mission earned him celebrity status in China.[10]
In October 2024, Ash led a team to became the first to kayak from source to sea of the Coppename River in the Amazon, Suriname, South America. A monumental challenge which saw Ash and his team (Matt Wallace, Dick Lock and Jacob Hudson) become the fastest team to summit the highest mountain in Suriname: Julianatop. A 600 km and 37 day journey full of challenge and adventure, whereby they went 34 days without seeing a single human. They faced infection, bites, stings, sleep deprivation, heat exhaustion and many more challenges.
Awards
editHe won the 2016 Welsh Adventurer of the Year Award. He has been named the seventh-coolest person in Wales[11] and was described as "one of the world’s most fearless outdoor men" by FHM magazine.[12]
References
edit- ^ "Old Colwyn adventurer Ash Dykes arrives in China for final expedition preparations". North Wales Pioneer.
- ^ "Old Colwyn's Ash Dykes begins world record mission down the Yangtze River". North Wales Pioneer. Archived from the original on 19 August 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
- ^ Mohdin, Aamna (12 August 2019). "British explorer is first person to complete 4,000-mile Yangtze trek". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- ^ "St Asaph adventurer and extreme athlete Ash Dykes partners up with Lord". Rhyl Journal. Archived from the original on 17 October 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
- ^ "Solo Mongolian trek breaks record". BBC News. Archived from the original on 24 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
- ^ "Adventurer completes Madagascar trek". 16 February 2016. Archived from the original on 24 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "War on malaria: on the brink of a breakthrough?". 18 April 2018. Archived from the original on 7 August 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
- ^ "Mission: Possible by Ash Dykes - Eye Books". eye-books.com. Archived from the original on 19 August 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
- ^ "Adventurer's Yangtze River record attempt". 7 March 2018. Archived from the original on 12 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ Lewis, Anna (15 August 2019). "The Welshman who's plastered all over billboards in China". walesonline. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- ^ Mainwaring, Rachel (27 November 2015). "The Cool List: The 50 coolest men in Wales". Archived from the original on 8 September 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
- ^ "Ambassador Ash Dykes - Craghoppers Community". Archived from the original on 4 July 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
External links
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