Euphoria as Shropshire man's 49-day desert trek reaches end
An explorer who spent 49 days on a gruelling trek across the desert says he feels "euphoric" the challenge is complete.
Along with two other teammates, 54-year-old Mark Evans spent weeks travelling by foot and camel across the Rub' al Khali desert – the largest sand desert in the world.
Mr Evans, of Mary Webb Close, Pontesbury, near Shrewsbury, said: "It was a great challenge but it is all over now after 49 days.
"We are just relaxing now. It was jolly hard work – some of us lost 10 kilograms, and some lost seven so it was certainly a good post-Christmas workout."
The desert – which covers around a third of the Arabian Peninsula – is also known as The Empty Quarter.
The group began its journey at Salalah in Oman on December 10, finally reaching Doha in Qatar ahead of schedule on Wednesday.
Mr Evans took on the challenge with Omani friends Mohammed Zadjali and Amer Al-Wahaibi and the trio trekked 1,200 kilometres by camel and foot together.
They are the first people to complete this coast-to-coast journey, from Salalah in Oman to Doha, in 85 years. Having finally arrived in Doha, Mr Evans said it was no easy feat.
He said: "It was really great to finish. It was a like the end of a marathon.
"The first quarter of the trek is great because at the start there are so many celebrations sending you off and people follow you off.
"The second quarter is getting into a rhythm and getting going.
"It is the third quarter that is the hard one – that is the really tough point.
"The last seven or eight days were fantastic. We arrived in Doha to a tremendous greeting with a member of the Qatari royal family and all sorts.
"It is just such a great feeling. It is just like finishing a marathon – relief, euphoria."
The most challenging day came part-way through the expedition.
He said: "The most difficult part was a day a third of the way through when the camels were still quite new.
"It was a very hot day and the sand dunes were very big and the camels were refusing to go any further, they were bellowing and spitting.
"Sweat was pouring off us and the temperatures were so high.
"But you just can't allow any negative thoughts at all really.
"It is so easy to say we'll have a rest and stop but you have just got to keep going anyway. It is about the mindset.
"As soon as you think about giving up it is too difficult."
