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Saharan Challenge
14 May 2009
Sarah Fairris speaks of her challenge in the world largest desert:

In March I flew out to Ouazazate in Morocco to start a week long trek in the Sahara Desert. As the bus drove off into the distance leaving us surrounded by only sand for as far as the eye could see it suddenly dawned on me what a challenge I had signed myself up for! We started heading off over the sand seemingly walking towards nothing but a blank horizon. However the more time I spent in the desert the more I appreciated what a variety of beautiful landscape there was to be found there, from dark rocky ground to dried up river beds, to sand dunes that varied from a few centimetres tall to ones over 300m high (one of which we climbed on day 4). Even the weather varied from boiling hot with clear blue skies to heavy sand storms. It was quite surreal pushing on against a barrage of sandy gales, wrapped up in scarves and ski goggles to try and keep the sand out, somewhat unsuccessfully!

In total we covered over 100km on our trek, walking all day, apart from a lunch break under whatever shade we could find (often a single tree in the middle of a vegetation free expanse). We then camped out in large canvas tents at night, which on one night we found we were also sharing with a family of scorpions!

Although it was a bit of a shock at first living without washing facilities and all the other basics that we take for granted, it was actually very liberating to leave behind our modern world material dependencies and instead focus on appreciating the outstanding beauty of the natural world. The highlight of which for me was watching the sun slowly set over a field of glowing sand dunes.

The people on the trek were also such enthusiastic and positive people, many trekking to support charities for medical illnesses that either they or their close relatives were suffering from. We all formed a strong bond and encouraged each other along when times got tough. It really was the experience of a lifetime and I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone, especially as it helps raise funds for such a worthwhile cause as The Sabre Trust. A big thank you to everyone who sponsored me.

 
 
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