Two Singaporeans succeeded in making the first Se-Asian unsupported desert crossing.

Singaporeans Make First Desert Crossing, establish record

Two Singaporeans succeeded in making the first Se-Asian unsupported desert crossing. Adventurers David Lim and Ms (Dr.) Shani Tan made the 5 ½ day crossing on foot,  of the world’s largest salt desert, the Salar de Uyuni (in southwestern Bolivia), last week staring Aug 5th and finishing Aug 10th. 

Their journey began on the desert’s western edge near the village of Llica, and traversed more than 150km to end at the desert’s edge by the village of Colchani some 5 ½ days later. They become the 4th ever party to make this crossing. More than 3500 people have summitted Mt Everest , but no more than  six have crossed the Uyuni on foot. 

The expedition almost failed before it began when the two custom-designed expedition trolleys failed to arrive on time, after being promised by the freight forwarders that they would be available  in La Paz ( Bolivia ) by July 31st. In a 36 hour period, the team purchased crude local steel carts like those used by street vendors, and got a local welder to make the required modifications. Poor quality mountain-bike tyres and accessories completed the makeshift plan. On the first morning of the expedition, the sheer weight of one trolley caused a tyre to deflate/implode  instantly.

The Xtreme Desert 2007 expedition  saw the team hauling up to 90 kgs of equipment, water and food across the barren, lifeless desert in the height of the Bolivian winter.  Day time temperatures soared to 15 degrees, and night time temperatures plummeted to – 15 degrees, freezing their water supply constantly. On some days, strong winds blew strange salt crystal ‘clouds’ across the Salar. 

The Xtreme Desert Crossing 2007 is supported by Energizer’s Never Say Die Club whose main focus is to encourage a spirit of resilience and toughness in Singaporeans.  The team will be relying on Energizer’s outstanding, long-life lithium batteries and accessories that perform superbly in sub-zero temperatures. 

showing being disabled does not mean being unable to achieve significant goals.

Dave Lim, Everest Climber, author and motivational speaker. To book David e-mail

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