On 22 August this year, myself and twenty-four fool-hardy riders will mount our steeds amidst the ruins of the Great Khaan's ancient capital Kharkhorin, to face a grueling 1000 km world record breaking race across the empty wilderness of Mongolia. This will be no ordinary horse race. The Mongol Derby is not a test of the horse's speed, but the rider's skill, endurance and the toughness of the skin between our legs.

No ones ever done this before, so there's certain to be plenty of stories which I'll keep posted here.

if you're worried about the site of blood...

"If you're worried about the site of blood, it's perfectly fine to stop taking part in the exercises"

This was one of the first comments made during a very short briefing received a couple of weeks ago when taking part in the Surviving Adventure course. Recommended by The Adventurists team and developed by 'elite medical professionals', it seemed a wise course to sign up for considering I know little more than putting on a weter proof plaster and opening a paracetamol bottle. Not now though - I can add major head trauma's, first degree burns, compound and skin-breaking bone fractures, punctured lungs and general life support to my no extensive medical CV.

Not great skills if I fall from the horse onto my own head, but should I come across a fellow racer with a suspected neck snapped fema and shock I can either ride on past, dreaming of the finish line win with one less competitor to worry about, or, apply some field first-aid. Obviously I'd do the later....

The best part of the course was that they literally threw us right into the action. There was little prep or explanation at the start, just the issuing of medical kits and collapsible stretchers and then off for a gentle stroll. However, just around the first corner lurked our first patient - a woman with a seriously cut wrist, then around the second corner, a mountain biker with smashed up head and then finally on the first morning, a stab victim who'd been mugged at a street carnival - it's amazing what can happen in sleepy old Herefordshire.

Confronted with each emergency, our ex-SAS medical experts let us tackle the situation with the little knowledge we had between us, rendering most of our patients into at least agony and at worst death. When it all got too much, not even the experts could stand around passively and would jump in and explain the correct approach. This proved to be a pretty good way to learn all the tricks of the trade and by the end of Day 1, we were ready for our first big test. 

After dinner, we went out for a final walk with the sun setting and spring fresh in the air. Then from nowhere, a bunch of FARC rebels jumped out shouting, waving automatic weaponary and brandishing grenades. All we could do was raise our hands and try and converse - no eye contact, agreeing all the time, soft voices etc - but to no avail. The grenades went off, people were hurt with shrapnel and our new training kicked in - sort of. The result was not bad at all in the end - no deaths, perhaps a little too much laughing about the FARC rebel who we all believed had served us lunch just a little earlier in the day and a general urge to get to the pub.

The next day followed the same lines with trickier situations being thrown at us. The final test was a biggie though and involved all of us stumbling on a Land Rover that had driven off a cliff with a family on board. Suspected back and neck injuries, head trauma, punctured lungs and broken legs. We thought we'd nailed this one, until the boy with the punctured lung whispered after his sister - doh! We hadn't found or even realised there was another missing. It turned out she'd bailed out of the car the top of the cliff and was lying injured some way away. Massive FAIL on our part.

All in all a great and very useful trip, plus I can now officially guide small groups on short mountain walks! The next installment is the outward bounds course in June - navigation, shelter building, hunting and water purification. Looks like a few racers are also signed up, so will be good to meet a few more people. 

Finally, a few pics from the weekend are up on Flickr here.

first time in the saddle

This is me, first time in the saddle, riding Dozey, not one known for unpredictable or sudden movements. Quite the opposite and if it wasn't for my clearly natural position, expert handling of the reins and quiet confidence, he wouldn't have moved at all! Watch out everyone - this is what you're up against!

My favourite bits of the photo are the t-towel for a numnah and the white socks....thanks Viks for the shot x