"From Utmost East to Utmost West" is an anthology of stories from John Blashford-Snell's life of exploration and adventure.
Due for publication in October 2022, autographed copies will be available from the Scientific Exploration Society priced at £19 including UK postage and packing. email jenny@ses-explore.org or call 01747 854456 to place your order
DARIEN BREAKTHROUGH - 50 YEARS OF THE RANGE ROVER
The year 2020 was the 50th anniversary of the production of the Range Rover.
The first major test of this remarkable car was the epic British Trans-Americas Expedition. The aim was to focus attention on the need to complete the Pan-American Highway, at 17000miles, the longest road in the world. The cars were to make the first crossing of the complete 200 mile Darien Gap and the fathomless Atrato swamp, that separated the Americas. At the same time important scientific studies were to be made in the Gap and ways of protecting its rain forest and indigenous people.
The expedition with over 100 servicemen (including a team of Royal Engineers) from Britain, Colombia, Panama and the United States, included scientists and specialists and four women. They used Army aircraft, small tracked carriers, an old Landrover, twenty eight horses and their feet to survey a route through the dense jungle, swamps and hills of Darien. The venture was supported by the Scientific Exploration Society, The Royal Automobile Club and many companies.
Led by the Explorer John Blashford-Snell, then a Major in the Royal Engineers, the expedition took over six months to travel from the snows of Alaska to the wind swept wilderness of Patagonia. Over half the team became ill at some point and their battles with the challenging terrain, the insects, the snakes, the mechanical difficulties, plus attacks by revolutionaries in Colombia, and the tragic drowning of some Colombian marines supporting the team, made this one of the epic expeditions of the 20th century. However against all odds the project succeeded – several TV films were made in Britain and North America. The best selling author Russell Braddon wrote the official book “The Hundred Days of Darien” and eventually the Pan American Highway followed the explorers route until political pressures stopped it short of the Panama/Colombian border.
Colonel John Blashford-Snell has prepared a PowerPoint presentation telling the story of this incredible venture. It is likely that this will appeal to audiences of all ages and especially Range Rover enthusiasts. Commenting on the saga John said “It was the toughest expedition I’ve done and a very close run thing”.
Colonel John Blashford-Snell is one of the world's most renowned and highly respected explorers. He has mounted numerous expeditions over the past 50 years all over the world, concentrating on scientific research and community aid.
JBS supports and works with numerous charities working with underprivileged youth in the UK, as well as undertaking countless community aid projects in remote parts of the world.
In the 2019 New Year Honours list JBS was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to scientific research abroad and to young people in the UK.
The year 2020 was the 50th anniversary of the production of the Range Rover.
The first major test of this remarkable car was the epic British Trans-Americas Expedition. The aim was to focus attention on the need to complete the Pan-American Highway, at 17000miles, the longest road in the world.
JBS has prepared a fascinating lecture on this epic expedition. For more details please visit the Public Speaking page.
JBS has two expeditions coming up and more details can be found in Future Expeditions.
Bolivian Recce Expedition November
2022
JBS has been asked to assist the village of Tres Hermanos on the Beni River in Bolivia. Their primary school is in urgent need of refurbishment as well as a clean water supply put into operation.
Mongolian Expedition June 2023
A scientific and community aid expedition in the Khan Khenth area of Mongolia is currently being planned for 28 June to 18 July 2023.
The expedition will be carrying out community aid projects, giving dental and medical help to the local people and performing archaeological, biological and zoological tasks with Mongolian
scientists.
JBS and the Scientific Exploration Society have released many of the expedition video films on YouTube.
The Channel can be found here. There is a great selection of videos under the 'Playlist' tab.
Please do click 'Subscribe' to stay updated as more videos will be added shortly.
If you are stuck at home during lockdown, there are some iincredible adventures to watch from the comfort of your armchair!
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As the Scientific Exploration Society Awards Presentation was unable to be held in person this year, an online event was held. The video of this event can be found on YouTube
The clip was shot in Bardia, Nepal by an expedition led by Colonel John Blashford-Snell CBE in 1992 when they found an enormous elephant, 11 feet 3 inches at the shoulder and believed to be the largest in Asia.
Local people thought he was a mammoth, but he was in fact an Asian elephant. The Nepalese put him on a postage stamp and sent soldiers to guard the area. They are still there and this is one of the reasons that the tiger population has increased. The book “Mammoth Hunt” that he wrote with Rula Lenska tells the story. TV films were made ‘The Beast of Bardia’and ‘Op Raleigh Return to Nepal 1992’ and both are in the collection of our SES videos.
Sadly, Raja Gaj disappeared in 2010 at the age of about 70. We believe he died and was swept away in the flooded Karnali river. However, his offspring are thriving and look like him.
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