Young British explorer embarks on Guyana Kanuku Mountains adventure
(“Ms. Lucy Shepherd and Mrs. Jane Miller, OBE, British High Commissioner to Guyana”)
Explorer and adventurer Lucy Shepherd takes on the entire width (and more) across the Kanuku Mountains British explorer Lucy Shepherd, who became Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society at 23 and is the youngest council member of the Scientific Exploration Society, will join Amerindian guides to trek east to west across the Kanukus, Guyana, one of the last remaining unexplored wildernesses on earth.
Anders Andersen who has spent many years living in Guyana, is the Operations Manager for this expedition.
Anders has been looking after in country coordination and contingency plans. Considered to be one of the most remarkable journeys through jungle territory in recent years, the expedition, endorsed by the Scientific Exploration Society, will follow the Kanuku Mountains over 200km as the crow flies from east to west through dense jungle, beginning at the Essequibo River and finishing at the most westerly point of the Kanuku mountains, close to the border of Brazil.
Completed entirely on foot, Lucy will be joined by indigenous brothers from multiple Amerindian communities on a journey that is believed to have never been attempted before. The team consists of Lionel James from Surama village, Arron Bernadine from Sand Creek Village and Vivian Smith from Rewa Village.
There will also be two rangers to be named by the Protected Areas Commission. As diverse as it is dangerous, the team will have to overcome mountain ranges as high as 1300 meters and navigate dense forest floors, all whilst staying vigilant of threats from jaguars and Bushmaster snakes.
Lucy commented; “I’ve spent the last year preparing and planning for this expedition and the physical and mental challenge cannot be underestimated and will require every ounce of my resilience. But to know I’ll be seeing such remote jungle is an honour and I can’t wait to share what I discover.”
Known locally as The Mountains of Life, on account of the sheer diversity of flora and fauna in the mountains, the Kanukus have been a protected wilderness since 2011 and this expedition is highlighting and celebrating what great things can be done when our natural wildernesses are protected.
Having successfully completed a south to north traverse across the Kanukus in early 2020, it became obvious to Lucy that this diverse area within the Guiana Shield and the Amazon biome was something that Guyana should be incredibly proud of and Lucy is humbled to have the opportunity to once again explore its beauty with such a great team alongside her.
Lucy Shepherd and Anders Andersen wish to convey their thanks to the Government of Guyana and the several agencies and individuals who facilitated the permitting process, in order for the Expedition to commence on schedule and in accordance with the relevant local regulations. Their particular appreciation is extended for the cooperation being given by the Guyana Tourism Authority, the Protected Areas Commission, the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, as well as the advice received from Mr Romel Richmond of the GTA and Major General (ret’d) Joseph Singh, himself a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the Representative in Guyana of the UK Scientific Exploration Society.
On Monday, Lucy met with the British High Commissioner to Guyana, Mrs. Jane Miller before embarking on her journey.
(Reposted from the British High Commission)
