ABOUT

In January 2025, two adventurers will embark on a remarkable journey with The Crescent Crossing Expedition.

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Adam Wilton MBE and Gavin Booth MBE will attempt to cross the Saudi Arabian Empty Quarter (Rub’ al-Khali) on foot, from the western to northern boundary, a distance of almost 800km, whilst carrying all of the supplies and water needed to survive.​ 

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The Rub’ al-Khali covers more than 650,000 sq km (larger than France + Belgium combined) and is the largest continuous sand desert in the world. As one of the driest and most inhospitable regions in the world, the Rub' al-Khali is virtually uninhabited and largely unexplored.

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Gavin and Adam are seasoned adventurers, with Greenlandic and Antarctic expeditions, but the desert environment will be a sure test of their resilience. ​

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The ambitious objective will involve carrying all of their supplies and water in 2 self built "rickshaw" style carts, and hauling these across the sand. The fully loaded carts are expected to weigh in excess of 200kg and the pair will attempt to replenish their water at a natural spring (oasis) in the heart of the desert.

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The proposed route will cross some of the historic tracks that Harry St John Philby and Wilfred Thesiger have made in their respective crossings of the Rub' al-Khali, starting from As Sulayyil to Haradh, via Ash Shalfa oasis.

 

The expedition will not have any other means of travel other than foot and will be autonomous, with no support or resupplies. Success will mark the first documented time a crossing of the Saudi Arabian Empty Quarter has been completed on foot, on a fully self sufficient basis.

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