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news » Chaz Powell awarded Explorer of the Year 2021

chaz powell with his medal

Chaz Powell awarded Explorer of the Year 2021

Author | 07 October 2021

Chaz Powell, 41, originally of Newport in Shropshire, has been awarded with the title of ‘Explorer of the Year 2021’ by the Scientific Exploration Society and their annual honorary award scheme.

Chaz has built his explorer credentials over the last 17 years – from early days, back-packing on a shoe-string budget around the world, to self-supported arctic camping in Norway to photograph the Northern Lights, to more ambitious technical crossings of the volcanic sweeping peaks of La Palma. As he has developed his skills, he also developed a passion for conservation.

In 2016-17, he graduated to a more ambitious project. Chaz spent 137 days walking over 3000km from source to sea along Africa’s wildest river -the Zambezi. From this journey, he developed his ongoing project ‘The Wildest Journey’ – his aim is to walk the length of classic rivers by foot, to raise awareness for wildlife conservation and anti-poaching.

And on his journeys, he aims to raise funds to support these goals. In 2019, he completed his Footsteps of the Gambia – over three months (January to March 2019), Chaz and friend Tim Roberts walked from source to sea along the Gambia River in Western Africa. For 47 days they covered around 1200km by foot whilst walking through Guinea Conakry, Senegal and The Gambia, becoming the first people in known history to do so.

In the same year, he completed a second crossing, this time in Madagascar – leading a small team that walked for 29 days and 800km from east to west across Madagascar, from the source to sea along the country’s longest river, The Mangoky. Another worlds first trek.

As well as his own exploration, Chaz also runs expeditions, taking groups on treks along the length of the UK’s longest rivers and National Parks. His UK expeditions focus on expedition and survival skills in mountain, river and forest-based environments.

Whilst not out on his various adventures, Chaz lives on a remote plot of land in the North of Scotland. He chooses to live off the land in an as wild and sustainable way as can be.

For more information on Chaz and his expeditions, please check out his website: www.thewildestjourney.com

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