2009 Pilgrimbandits Sahara Challenge

What makes 21 Members of the public, two ex Forces members and 2 Pilgrimbandits want to complete the Pilgrimbandits Challenge across one of the most inhospitable deserts of the world. the cause, the challenge, the comradeship, bravado, only they really know but what is known is that for what ever reason each had, they were to be tested to the full and more.

Base camp was in the valley of El Faija some 6 Miles from the gorge that disects the Jebel Beni Mountain range. Here on the Sunday evening after a 11 hour jounrney from Marrakech the Challengers were given a safety challenge briefing by the Pilgrimbandits observer "El Pasha " at this point excitment was high mixed with the unknown of what was to come. But the Pilgrimbandit observer knew that day 1 would be the Tester day.

Day 1 (28 Miles) 7.00 am Coffee ,bread, jam and off we set to cover the 6 miles to the foot of the Tizi Djinia, the heat was unbelievable and then the ascent of 1100m began. Taking 2 hrs to wind there way up this unforgiving monster and at the top the injured and dehydrated lay exhausted. At this point it became clear to all that this was no walk in the park, and to the Pilgrimbandit observers a worrying time because they still had some 15 miles to go. Feet swollen , blisters forming they pressed on and on, many having already run out of drinking water into the night and darkness. Tabbing had become limping and disorientation and fear began setting in.*******At this point (the Pilgrimbandits would not normally release names) the selfless act of John Killick and Roger Kennedy whom left the main group and ran unaware of there surroundings and 50 ft sheer cliff drops from canyon walls around them towards a light believing it to be the RV in the distance to alert the support team that we had run out of water, within 20 min's the support team were dishing out bottles of water and ferrying back those that were dehydrated to the point of exhaustion. Some would say that it had been an act of stupidity as a Pilgrimbandit Observer I would say it was an act that made a group of individuals into a team.******* After a refuelling stop all made it into the RV and rest.It was here that Doctor Blister made his name with a queue that would wait outside his tent every night for the lansing of blisters. . While the whole group then sat back and waited for the screams of pain as the injection of iodine into the blisters did its work and laughed. This became the evening entertainment for the next 5 nights. Humour under pressure i believe its called.

Day 2

From the RV in the oasis we headed south down the gorge and followed the river bed towards the sand dunes of chegega, many showing the signs of the previous day but pushing on helped by the odd word of encouragement and banter. A brief stop for our packed lunch in some shade and you could at this point see the sand dunes ahead however it was clear something was wrong. Mahamed our main guide made an announcement that the whole group feared, winds from the north were whipping the sand up into a sand storm we therefore had to travel quicker to a changed RV for safety. Within an hour it had caught us winds of 50/60 miles an hour made the sand feel like fragments of glass hitting the flesh, we had to move quicker but we were in an area of large boulders and shale, we made it to a high ridge where again Mahamed said that over the ridge was a nomad school 1 mile away. The look on the faces of the challengers when we reached the ridge will last for a long time, it was a Berber 1 mile to the challengers another hour enduring the wind and pain. At the school a decision was made by the Pilgrimbandit observer that conditions were too dangerous so the GPS distance monitor was switched off and the support vehicles called in to take all to the nights changed RV a berber tented site which was last years finishing point. Although the relief from the elements was clear to see on the faces the night would end up sleepless for many as the winds got stronger and sand kept blowing into and through the tents.

Day 3

The challengers at this point had completed 49 miles in 2 days an achievement in its self so the challenge staff decided to make this a less physical day !!!! sand dunes, sand dunes, sand dunes 13 miles of them, but the day was uneventful compared to the previous two. We RV'd at the base of some high dunes and relaxed, Dr Blister got to work glad a bit of extra time to inflict his medicine and the patients queue had gotten longer.1.30 am the next morning and the whole camp was awoken to the sound of one of the group suffering the effects of sun stroke, at this point you may feel sympathy for the victim but in true pilgrm spirit all you heard was another member saying " Will somebody give that bloody sea lion his ball back " and all went back to sleep laughing, but knowing that the victim was in the hands of Dr Blisters care.

Day 4

62 miles covered and RAIN lovely rain what a god send, tabbing in cool rain after the previous days heat, as we set off for another 22 miles with all members present, although the sun-stroke victim looked as though he had died or was a dracula victim , we passed the official Help for Heroes Trek, we say trek because that is what it was they were on day 4 and covered 40 miles, each night drinking wine with dinner ??? in the desert strange decision, however we did feel sorry for them as they had already lost 24 members with food poisoning/ stomach bug ....... anyway after we had wound it into them we continued on with what was an uneventful day other than covering the distance and thankfull of the rain.

Day 5

A complete contrast to day 4 the heat was being reflected off the stones and sand, we came very close the the Algerian Border and the Military stopped us at one point to warn us that no photography was allowed, but who cared the mind was already in outer space only thinking of the end, and there it was the El Pacha hotel in all its splendor on the outskirts of Mahmid. Tears of joy, smiles of accomplishment, Pride and all the emotions that we no longer seem to use were on show even from the toughest. What we did not know was that the whole of the Berber Tribes within the region had been following our progress in the local media, they had organized a traditional Berber banquette for the evening with local dancers and musicians coming from Zigora ,then the Mayor arrived to welcome us personaly, truly unforgettable.

The Mayor himself summed the whole challenge up in his speech

" The Berbers are a proud people, and within that Pride it allows us to recognize extraordinary events like the Rue De Stable and so on. For a Berber what each of you have achieved we salute you hold your head up high for you are all Heroes in helping your Heroes".

This whole challenge wouldn't have been possible without a great deal of help from M'hamed Bouhaddou, M'hamid (our chef) Lassie and Hussen our guides, plus our support crew, and Sponsors from the Pilgrimbandits many thanks. Membership to the Pilgrimbandits is never given only earn't as those above and before will testify with memories to last a life time. To begin as a group and finish as a team is credit to all.

103 Miles in 5 days

The Pilgrimbandits record of 107 miles in 5 days was beaten by Ben Ryan and Rodger Kennedy who set a new record of 109 Miles.

24 Members of the public doing an Extraordinary Challenge in aid of our Extraordinary members of our Armed Forces.

Im Shalah

Think you've got what it takes ? we would like to hear from you if you think you have .....for the 2010 Challenge.