Due to Ramadan falling in February/March and then the beginning of the very hot weather, I did the expedition in two stages.
Stage 1 was 930km and took 39 days and was from the border with Jordan to Madinah.
Stage 2 was 1265km took 67 days (we arrived three days ahead of schedule) and was from Madinah to Najran.
I was supported by a great crew from Saudi Company MAD Adventures. Shaya Al Shaya walked with me and became the second person, first man and first Arab and Saudi to accomplish the feat. Alan Morrissey planned the route.
How do I know it is a world-first? Of course, I cannot be 100% certain. However, here is the reasoning.
Saudi Arabia was founded in 1932 and although many people have crossed west to east or east to west and lots of parts of north to south we can find no records of a complete north to south crossing in English, Arabic, French or German nor have we heard of one – and our Saudi team members are very across what is happening in the Kingdom.
It would be extremely difficult to do this on foot unsupported as there is simply not enough water in some stretches for you realistically to be able to carry enough to sustain life. Therefore, you would need to have camels or vehicles with you and if you were crossing for normal purposes, you would use them – certainly some of the time – rather than walk every step. The terrain, deep sand, heat and headwind would dictate that. I am walking every step because I am taking it on as a challenge and an exploration. I am posting all garmin logs as supporting in formation. Here are the garmin files for the full expedition Garmin N-2-S Crossing Saudi Expedition – Stage1&2 – Trip Stats & GPS Links
If you’d like to know more, I posted all through the expedition on the platforms below including the Alice in wAnderland podcast.