first crossing of the great sand sea on foot

Just back from the successful 2009-2010 expedition that crossed the great sand sea of the Egyptian Sahara. We faithfully followed the route of Gerhard Rohlfs 1874 journey making better time than he in the first 150 km but slower after that, covering 700km from Dakhla oasis to Siwa in 27 days. We did not lose any camels but came close on one occasion, whereas he lost ten over the same route. Some of the team walked the entire way without riding and thus became the first people ever to make this journey solely on foot. We had no vehicle accompaniment on the actual journey and used traditional methods of Bedouin camel herders as much as possible.