Adventurer Charlie Walker will recount hair-raising tales of dodging crocodiles, hippos and rapids when he opens this year’s programme of Inspiring People talks organised by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.
The author spent four years cycling 43,000 miles through 60 countries in Europe, Asia and Africa and walked 1,000 miles alone across the Gobi desert. He has ridden a horse 600 miles through the Mongolian steppe and in 2014 descended a little known tributary of the Congo River.
Mr Walker’s expeditions are described as “a combination of physical endeavour, personal discovery and existential exploration”.
He has survived an ill-equipped winter in Tibet and an Ethiopian mob attack as well as cycling across the Sahara twice.
His talks encourage audiences to set themselves a seemingly impossible task and stick doggedly at it until completion, regardless of what others think.
Although Perth-based, the RSGS talk will take place in the University of Dundee on Tuesday January 10 at 7.30pm in the Dalhousie Building.
Speaking about the first talk of the new year in the series, Sue Dawson, Dundee group chair, said: “Charlie has been on some seriously exciting adventures and we look forward to hearing about the challenges he has faced and overcome on his travels. I am sure his stories are going to inspire wanderlust in many who come to his talk.”
Mr Walker said: “I’m excited to come to Scotland and speak among the RSGS’s line up of Inspiring People.
“It’s an honour to be invited by such an historical and respected organisation.
“Several years ago I set out on an ambitious four-year bicycle journey that changed my life. In telling this story, I aim to encourage audiences to dream big and tackle their goals, however mad or impossible they might seem.”
Inspiring People talks are open to all, tickets are free for students, U18s and RSGS members, £8 for Tiso Outdoor Experience cardholders and £10 for visitors. For more information see the RSGS website rsgs.org
