Ed Stafford, first man to walk length of the Amazon
With a great pair of lungs, you could go miles without so much panting!
British explorer Ed Stafford became the first man to walk the entire length of the Amazon.
Following an unbelievable 859 days and 6,000 miles just walking, Stafford was able to accomplish his goal.
He was a former Army captain to reach the Atlantic in Brazil, which took him two and a half years when he started his epic adventure in the jungles of Peru.
The final route proved the most challenging part, with Mr Stafford collapsing at the side of the road a few hours before reaching his final destination.
However, he was able to make itto the Maruda beach on Brazil’s northern coast, together with a Peruvian forestry worker Gadiel ‘Cho’ Sanchez Rivera, 31, who joined him five months into his journey.
The ex-soldier posted on Twitter: ‘Job done. 28 months and Cho and I have finished walking the Amazon. I always knew it was possible.’
Stafford, 33, from Hallaton, Leicestershire, who endured 50,000 mosquito bites, said: ‘It’s been an incredible journey with some amazing highs, but also some pretty horrendous lows as well. But I just couldn’t consider giving up.’
Even though the Amazon measures 4,000 miles, he already expected that he will walk an extra 2,000 miles up and down mountains and enter jungle to surmount it.
He started on April 2, 2008, with walking companion Luke Collyer, 37, an outdoor activities instructor. However after less than three months in, the pair fell out over an iPod and Mr Collyer came back to UK. Mr Stafford then advertised for a new walking partner and he was joined by Mr Sanchez Rivera.
Living with just pirhana and rice, the two made their way through Peru, Colombia and Brazil.
During their adventure in Peru, local tribesmen detained Mr Stafford and his partner on suspicion of murder. But after 48 hours, they were released.
Unfortunately the sponsors backed out due to the recession, their GPS system failed and their medical insurance lapsed.
Mr Stafford said on Monday: ‘All I want now is a portion of fish and chips and a nice cold beer.’
The world’s leading explorer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE, could not help but praise Stafford’s achievement: ‘One of the most impressive aspects of his performance throughout this expedition is Ed’s absolute determination to succeed.
‘On an almost daily basis, he must have faced obstacles which would put most people off. His is a truly magnificent demonstration of the stubborn grit which you need to succeed in such difficult and dangerous terrain.
‘Such stories draw much needed attention to the very real problems which exist in the Amazon basin and beyond.’
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