After traversing inhospitable terrain and crossing hundreds of rivers for over 5,000 kilometres, in 2021 I began the climb out of the Amazon basin, my home for over 4 years now. Humanity needs to protect this critical region, and to do so we need to understand it better. My immersive journey has given me a wealth of experience of the flora, fauna and people who live along the course of the Amazon river. I financed the expedition by selling my home and everything I own, but the money has now run out, and I need again to ask for help to cover the final section from Rio Ene Peru to the source of the mightiest river on earth, high in the snow-capped Andes mountains.
"Our lessons come from the journey, not the
destination"
~ Don Williams
Over five years ago, after working
in the construction industry for 25 years, I took the life-changing
decision to sell my apartment and practically everything I owned, to
try to become the first person to traverse the length of the mighty
Amazon river from sea to source on foot and by swimming across all
the rivers including the Amazon river itself (several times!). It
would be a challenge of monumental proportions, beginning at the
mouth of the Amazon and making an uphill, upstream traverse of some
of the most inhospitable terrain on earth, followed finally by a
precipitous descent to the Pacific coast. There would be significant
logistical challenges along the three or more year, 6,400 km trail,
and I raised what I hoped would be enough money to complete the task.
"We are here by the grace of trees &
forests. They make our atmosphere, clean our water, &
sustain the cycles of life that permit us" (Richard Powers)
Both man and nature have conspired to throw considerable obstacles in the way of the expedition, including almost a year of Covid-19 lock-downs. However, in 2018 I became the first person to ascend the Brazilian Amazon on foot, and I am now over half way across the Peruvian Amazon and heading toward the Andes. Hard-won experience has prepared me mentally for the tough challenge still ahead, and physically I am fit.
As well as sharing this adventure on the AOTA website, i also
use satellite tracking data set at intervals of between 10 and 30
minutes when moving forward as a digital record of the journey.
I cover the ground in consecutive stages, stopping at the end
of a stage or stages when resupplying or for other logistical
purposes. The course can be seen on the AOTA
site, together with my blogs, photos and other educational
information including the very popular A to Z of
Amazon animals page.
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"
~Lao Tzu
This incredible journey has so far taken me from the Atlantic ocean and the tidal mangrove forests at the easternmost tip of the world' s largest river island, Marajó in Brazil, to the flooded forests of the Peruvian Amazon, past the confluence of the Ucayali and Maranón rivers, passed the large tropical city of Pucallpa along the Rio Ucayali and past Rio Tambo onto the Rio Ene. I will continue to ascend the river basin to the officially recognised source of the Amazon river high in the snow-capped Peruvian Andes mountains; and the final part of the expedition will be the descent to the Pacific coast, meaning I will also have crossed the continent from east to west.
"All things share the same breath - the beast, the tree,
the man. The air shares its spirit with all the life it
supports."
~
Chief Seattle
During
the expedition I am documenting my experiences of the people and
cultures I encounter, through words and images posted on the
website. I also highlight environmental issues, and offer
observations on flora and fauna and the people who live along the
river's course. The official AOTA site, ascentoftheamazon.com, is also a repository of
historical and scientific information on the region, as well as
hosting my blogs.
"I'd be an Indian here, and live content. To fish, hunt
and paddle my canoe,
In
health of body and piece of mind,
Rich without wealth, and happy without gold"
~Alfred R Wallace.
No-one
has ever attempted this sea-to-official-source journey by any
means, and a successful expedition is expected to receive some
media attention, building as the expedition nears its conclusion.
National Geographic Poland recently published a 6 page article
about the expedition, and my trials and tribulations are followed
by many people around the world.
“Listen, O lord of the meeting rivers, things standing
shall fall, but the moving ever shall stay.”
~Basava,
Peru, the home of indigenous Asheninka & Ashaninka people for millennia.
I cannot complete my mission without your help. This fundraiser was first published in January and the money raised has already been used, this is just a re-launch 9 months on to take me step by step 18,000 ft up into the Andes, and then down to the shores of the Pacific Ocean. The funds will be used to pay for satellite tracking and website costs, kit maintenance, including replacement cheap clothing & boots for myself & guides, SD cards for my video camera, a local guide, medical supplies, complex logistics, emergency rescue/evacuation insurance, food and accommodation in towns, gifts for communities and my eventual return home costs. Although this expedition will achieve two world firsts, the narrative of the odyssey is about so much more: it is about the future of the Amazon and everything it means in a world so full of challenges. Help me make a difference in 2021. If you can, please donate something or opt for one of the rewards listed; if you can't, then please share, follow, and talk about my journey, the river and rain-forest. Thank you!
For more inspiration about the Amazon and its incredible biodiversity i highly recommend watching the Nat-Geo 'Wild Amazon' documentry below.
Perks
Every contribution welcome, and it all adds up! (Image courtesy "Prawny" at pixabay.com)
Every twenty five pounds provides vital food and supplies for me and my guides during difficult parts of the traverse. Help me with this and get a unique two year! Amazon calendar, signed by me and with original photos from the expedition, printed on recycled paper of course. Also a listing on the partners page of the website, and in the book (If published) This reward will be organised post expedition.
- 3 granted
- 7 remaining
My Garmin/Inreach satellite device is a vital part of equipment both for tracking the journey over the course of the expedition and for communications also potential emergency use. Help me by sponsoring a month's subscription to the service. Or all the estimated 10 remaining months for £500 I need to fund this throughout the next 9-10 months, and everyone who helps with this essential equipment will be acknowledged on the map page also on the location map under the latest blogs and on my partners page, and in the book (If published) Thanks! Click Read More below to find out more about the Garmin range of satellite trackers.
- 2 granted
- 10 remaining
Your name or company name and website address on one or more of the 12 original AOTA month images on a unique printed calendar. £100 for one month or £1100 for the whole year. Also links and names listed on the Partners page of the AOTA website and in the book (If published) This will be orginised post expedition.
- 0 granted
- 2 remaining
Dinner and conversation with me at one of London's top Peruvian restaurants, Pachamama's. (Post expedition of course) This does not include travel or the cost of the meal. Split the bill 50% each if one person. If more than one, separate bills! Also you will be listed on the partners page of website and in the book (If published) Click on 'Read more' to see restaurant website.
- 0 granted
- 4 remaining
Have your company logo (or name) and website link on the Ascent Of The Amazon homepage. I currently on average get over 4,000 views each month on the website, and this is expected to increase as I near the finish. Also a listing and link on the Partners page. And in the book (if published)
- 1 granted
- 0 remaining
Have your personal or company name and website link displayed on all remaining blog posts including the latest blog, in the "Header Photos" of the expedition, as 'Blog sponsored by YOUR NAME'. Also listing on the Partners page and in the book (If published)
Highlights
See all activity36Latest Video Appeal
Pete is still going, and thanks to your generosity has reached the lower Andes already. He still needs more support - NON-financial as well as financial - so please view the recent video to see why this is so important.
Thanks to all donors again - 61% achieved already!!!!
Activity
Meet the team
Every contribution welcome, and it all adds up! (Image courtesy "Prawny" at pixabay.com)
Every twenty five pounds provides vital food and supplies for me and my guides during difficult parts of the traverse. Help me with this and get a unique two year! Amazon calendar, signed by me and with original photos from the expedition, printed on recycled paper of course. Also a listing on the partners page of the website, and in the book (If published) This reward will be organised post expedition.
- 3 granted
- 7 remaining
My Garmin/Inreach satellite device is a vital part of equipment both for tracking the journey over the course of the expedition and for communications also potential emergency use. Help me by sponsoring a month's subscription to the service. Or all the estimated 10 remaining months for £500 I need to fund this throughout the next 9-10 months, and everyone who helps with this essential equipment will be acknowledged on the map page also on the location map under the latest blogs and on my partners page, and in the book (If published) Thanks! Click Read More below to find out more about the Garmin range of satellite trackers.
- 2 granted
- 10 remaining
Your name or company name and website address on one or more of the 12 original AOTA month images on a unique printed calendar. £100 for one month or £1100 for the whole year. Also links and names listed on the Partners page of the AOTA website and in the book (If published) This will be orginised post expedition.
- 0 granted
- 2 remaining
Dinner and conversation with me at one of London's top Peruvian restaurants, Pachamama's. (Post expedition of course) This does not include travel or the cost of the meal. Split the bill 50% each if one person. If more than one, separate bills! Also you will be listed on the partners page of website and in the book (If published) Click on 'Read more' to see restaurant website.
- 0 granted
- 4 remaining
Have your company logo (or name) and website link on the Ascent Of The Amazon homepage. I currently on average get over 4,000 views each month on the website, and this is expected to increase as I near the finish. Also a listing and link on the Partners page. And in the book (if published)
- 1 granted
- 0 remaining
Have your personal or company name and website link displayed on all remaining blog posts including the latest blog, in the "Header Photos" of the expedition, as 'Blog sponsored by YOUR NAME'. Also listing on the Partners page and in the book (If published)
