According to the previous newsletter, CBCGDF volunteer and British extreme adventurer @AshDykes spent a happy New Year’s Eve in Yunnan Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture. After that, he entered Sichuan and successfully arrived in Panzhihua City, realized the halfway through the epic “Mission Yangtze” journey planned to be accomplished in one year! In the meantime, he had a fun, passionate and meaningful exchange and interaction with the Anti-Electric Fishing Cooperation Center (Oppose Electro Fishing Union), a typical representative of CBCGDF’s civil protection force.
On the first day, Ash and his team were led by the Director of the Center, Mr. Zhu Kai and local volunteers, and experienced a field patrol along the Jinsha River section. Ash has a better understanding of the natural environment and biological species there. They also found the local endemic species sand worms. Due to the local food and medicinal value of the sand worms and the overexploitation of commercial value, the number of sand worms is rapidly decreasing. As a volunteer of CBCGDF and dedicated to biodiversity conservation, Ash is particularly learning: Don't be greedy, so that another species will be extinct from the table. The experience of the day added the taste of Bear Grylls’ “Running Wild with Bear Grylls” to Ash’s epic Mission Yangtze journey, which was trying to break the third world record in his life. What a coincidence – Bear Grylls really once again praised Ash through social media. That night, Ash and CBCGDF Anti-Electric Fishing Cooperation Center carried out exchange activities. Both as volunteers of CBCGDF, they introduced their actions and efforts in ecological environmental protection from their own perspectives, exchanged thought and shared experiences.
The next day, the group of people visited the legendary China Ju Que Inkstone Museum. Ash watched and experienced the carvings of Ju Que Inkstone and personally wrote Chinese traditional calligraphy! Extreme adventurer has become a thorough scholar.
The one stop of Panzhihua means that Ash’s Mission Yangtze successfully completed the halfway milestone. His Press Release stated: Death-defying British adventurer Ash Dykes has today reached safety at the halfway point of his mammoth world first expedition. This is no mean feat, as the Yangtze is the longest river to flow through a single nation and stretches almost 4000 miles from west to east China, through eleven provinces, diverse ecosystems and multiple major cities including Chongquing and Shanghai.
One hundred and thirty-six days and nights, two thousand miles of walking... Since August 26 last year, from the scientifically certified source of the Yangtze River in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Ash has traveled some of the world's most remote but fascinating provinces.
In one of the few remaining ‘firsts’ to be attempted by man, Ash and his team have faced huge challenges on this first half of the expedition, with eight of his nine teammates withdrew from the middle of the mission due to injuries and other reasons. Ash said: “China is an unbelievably diverse country, with each province I’ve crossed bringing unique terrains, climates, wildlife and challenges. We managed to push on with the backing of the Qinghai Government and CBCGDF, and really appreciate their concern.
“Despite the challenges, I’ve been completely overwhelmed by the kindness and hospitality shown by the people I’ve encountered so far. I always say that the locals make or break an adventure, and so far, the Chinese have been amazing. It’s been hugely rewarding living and integrating with locals, meeting schools and families, and learning about their lives and traditions.”
“The Yangtze has also been incredibly clean so far, as the locals will not so much as fish out of the river, let alone throw rubbish in it. I know the second half will experience more cities but it’s a common misconception that the entire Yangtze River is being destroyed by the effects of industrialization.”
“The expedition hasn’t been straightforward, but it’s been an incredible experience so far, and I’m really looking forward to seeing and learning even more about this amazing country as I enter into the second half of the mission. Bring it on!”
Around the Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve, Ash arrived in a small town in southeastern Sichuan with a small population and was warmly accepted by a Yi minority nationality family there. He spent the quiet and peaceful celebration of the Year of the Pig. Ash said insincerely: "Yesterday I had the privilege to spend Chinese New Year with the most wonderful family. I know I say it a lot, but I can not believe just how amazing the Chinese people are. Even this morning, they gave me breakfast and boiled eggs to take away with me on my journey.”
Ash plans to arrive in Yibin a few days later and will be there to reunite with Mr. Zhu Kai, the leader of the CBCGDF Anti-Electric Fishing Cooperation Center. What kind of sparks will be produced from the old friends’ reunion? We can't help but expect. Learn more about the follow-up of Ash Dykes' Mission Yangtze journey, welcome to continue to follow CBCGDF Wechat account ChinaGreenExpress. Stay tuned!
(The source of the photos in the text is Ash Dykes, except for those already signed. Please indicate the source.)
Beautiful Sichuan, beautiful China. (Photo credit: Zhu Kai)
Interaction with CBCGDF Anti-Electric Fishing Cooperation Center
Instantly became a scholar.
Looking for sand worms. (Photo credit: Zhu Kai)
Learning for CBCGDF local volunteers. (Photo credit: Zhu Kai)
Together with Mr. Zhu Kai, lit a pile of bonfires that heralded "Bring it on".
Bear Grylls really left him a message.
Warmly welcome by the Yi minority people.
Celebrated the Spring Festival peacefully.
Successfully completed halfway, the third world record is closer!
Original Chinese article:
http://www.cbcgdf.org/NewsShow/4937/7584.html
By / Niu Jingmei