A recording-breaking adventurer from North Wales has claimed the title of National Adventurer of the Year following his epic journey across landlocked Mongolia. Ash Dykes, 24, who is nicknamed the ‘lonely snow leopard’, last year impressively spent 78 days alone, crossing 1,500 miles of the unforgiving Gobi Desert and the vast Mongolian steppe. The prestigious awards are a celebration of the most impressive international adventure, and Ash beat 39 other competitors to take the title of Wales’ top adventurer.
Fittingly the award was presented by a Mongolian dignitary, at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow, and the prize given was a traditional Mongol bowl and framed certificate. ‘I thought it was really appropriate as I had walked across his country,’ Dykes said.
Mongolia is the most sparsely populated country on earth, with just over three million inhabitants in its vast land-locked 604,000 square miles. Battling sandstorms, heat exhaustion and loneliness, Ash completed the incredible mission on foot and unsupported, which helped him secure the top award.
His ‘snow leopard’ nicknamed was given by amazed locals who learned of his solo crossing and likened him to the resilient solitary creatures who roam the Mongolian wilderness.
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