Summary
Ashley Philip Dykes is a Welsh adventurer and extreme athlete.[1][2] He achieved two official world-first records, trekking across Mongolia and Madagascar, before the age of 25. In August 2019, he 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]
Ash Dykes | |
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 | |
| Born | Ashley Philip Dykes |
| Nationality | Welsh |
| Occupation(s) | Adventurer, extreme athlete |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Known for | Three world-first records for trekking across Mongolia , Madagascar and The Yangtze River |
Personal life edit
Dykes grew up in Old Colwyn, Wales. and also attended Ysgol Bryn Elian situated within the town.[4]
Career edit
He 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]
Awards edit
He 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 edit
- Official website
