15000 KM
20 Countries
12 Months
THE JOURNEY IS COMPLETE...
ANZAC COVE TO ANZAC COVE
26 APRIL 2014 TO 23 APRIL 2015
363 DAYS, 14,000KM, 17 COUNTRIES
100'S OF KINDNESSES
$86,000 FOR SAVE THE CHILDREN
THE END OF A DREAM
A BLOODY BRILLIANT ADVENTURE
THE JOURNEY
After 25 years in Australia, Huw plans to revisit his European roots, crossing borders and cultures. A journey that will immerse him in the culture of the Mediterranean countries of Europe, North Africa and The Middle East. A journey that will take place against a backdrop of challenging economic times in Europe, particularly for those countries bordering the Mediterranean. A journey that will take place as a number of North African and Middle Eastern countries face new challenges and build new democracies following the Arab Spring. Huw will travel by foot, rowboat, kayak and mountain bike via magnificent land and seascapes; through 20 countries over 15,000km in 12 months.
THE ANZAC CENTENARY
Anzac Centenary logo mediterr année will have a very important and meaningful link to Huw's Australian home. On 25th April each year Anzac Day is commemorated. On this day in 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers landed on the Mediterranean beaches of Gallipoli in Turkey. There followed a bitter eight-month campaign that saw thousands killed on both sides; Anzacs and Turks. The men who served on the Gallipoli Peninsula created a legend, adding the word 'Anzac' to the Australian vocabulary (Australian New Zealand Army Corps) and creating the notion of the Anzac spirit; the ideals of courage, endurance and mateship. Gallipoli has special significance to many Australians and New Zealanders and is Australia's most important national occasion.Anzac Day in 2015 commemorates the Centenary of this important moment in Australian history and will be a major event for Australia, New Zealand and Turkey.Huw plans to set off from Anzac Cove, the name given to the site of the main landings in Gallipoli, on the day after Anzac Day in April 2014 and to complete the journey one year later in time for the Anzac Day Centenary in 2015.
THE FUNDRAISING
A major reason for undertaking the journey is to raise funds for Save the Children to assist the work they do to help children adversely affected by conflict around the world. The commemoration of the Anzac landings 100 years ago during WW1 is one part of the equation of the mediterr année project. Help for those needlessly harmed physically, economically and psychologically today is another; one that will certainly help drive Huw through difficult times during the journey.
Messages of Support
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I've seen Huw's drive, determination and good humour when we've worked closely on campaigns for a better environment and have little doubt he will give this incredible looking journey his all. Good luck mate!
Jon Dee - 2010 Australian of the Year (NSW), Founder of Planet Ark and Founder of Do Something!
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In this day of affordable travel to all corners of the earth at close to the speed of sound, we need more than ever to be reminded that the essence of travel is exploration at a pace which comes naturally to us. One cannot achieve an intimate connection with landscapes and cultures without expending any effort, taking any risk or suffering any hardship. Huw's journey around the shores that gave birth to Western Civilisation is a modern odyssey that reminds us not only of this but also that the real and endlessly fascinating world is still out there for us to escape to.
Tim Macartney-Snape - First Australian to climb Mount Everest and first person to walk from sea level to summit of Mount Everest
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Only Huw Kingston could set about raising money for Save the Children in such an imaginative and adventurous way. I wish him well on his travels around the Mediterranean and look forward to tracking his posts, which are sure to be both numerous and amusing. Fifteen thousand kilometres by foot, kayak, bike and even ski is sure to be exciting to watch and let's hope Huw raises lots of money for children caught up in war zones or conflict. Huw is a consummate adventurer, traveller and raconteur. I hope many dig deep for a great cause!
Pru Goward - Minister for Planning and Minister for Women, NSW Government
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Wow! So many countries and cultures linked together through so many different environments. Huw has set himself an impressive task of variety and adventure to support a great cause. Swapping kayak for bike, boots and skis will certainly showcase Huw's determination and abilities in the magnificent arena he's chosen.
Stuart Trueman - First Australian to circumnavigate Australia by kayak
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If there is a man who can do this, who should do this, it is Huw. I am proud to support his ambitious plans no matter where in the world they take him. mediterr année is not only an incredible physical and cultural journey it offers the chance to raise funds for a very worthwhile cause.
Peter Holmes à Court - Entrepreneur and Writer
The Route
Huw will leave Anzac Cove and Turkey by sea kayak and will spend the next 3 months paddling 2500km along the coasts of Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Croatia. Then it will be time to stretch the legs with a 100 day, 1500km trek following the full length of the European Alps in its arc from Slovenia through Italy, Switzerland, France and down to arrive in Monaco on the Mediterranean Sea in October. This magnificent traverse of one of the world's greatest mountain ranges will also include an ascent of Mont Blanc (4810m), Europe's highest mountain.
As winter approaches, Huw will head out on the mountain bike for a journey that will take him over 2000km through Mediterranean France, down through the coastal ranges of Spain. The last 300km of Spain from near Almeria will see him climb back into the sea kayak to paddle down to the British enclave of Gibraltar, at the 'mouth' of the Mediterranean. Here the narrow Straits of Gibraltar, separating Europe from Africa, will be crossed by kayak. Huw will continue through Morocco by bike which will also take him across of Algeria and into Tunisia; some 2500km.
Political unrest had made Libya, originally on Huw's route, a no go area. With this in mind, during the Alpine trek, Huw evolved a plan to use an ocean rowboat to row initially from Tunisia to Malta. However for reasons of logistics, political situations and maintaining the human powered nature of the journey, the row has been extended ever further. Now Huw and Slovenian Marin Medak will row some 2000km over 40-50 days from Tunisia to Malta, Malta to Greece and Greece to Turkey. Greek adventurer Dimitris Kokkoris will join them in Greece for the last few weeks to Turkey. Once in Turkey and edging ever closer to completing the Mediterranean circle there will be a final sea kayak voyage along the Turkish coast. A coast that will take Huw back to Gallipoli to arrive in time for the Anzac Day Centenary on 25 April 2015. mediterr année is a self supported journey; there is no support vehicle, team or boat shadowing Huw along the route.
On paper it looks straightforward (!) but there are so many variables - health, weather, political situations - that Huw can fully expect plans to be further changed. Flexibility, good planning, hard work and a lot of luck will be key to ensuring mediterr année succeeds.
Fundraising
AMOUNT RAISED - $86,000 (AS AT 15/08/15)
Save the Children is one of the world's leading independent emergency relief and development organisations for children. They aim to save and protect children's lives and strive to give every child a safe and happy childhood. One of the saddest aspects of any war is the children who become injured, orphaned or traumatized during conflicts. Save the Children work in such conflict zones as Syria, The Congo and Afghanistan to offer assistance directly to such children.
The commemoration of the Anzac landings 100 years ago during WW1 is one part of the equation of the mediterr année project. Help for those needlessly harmed physically, economically and psychologically today is another; one that will certainly help drive Huw through difficult times during the journey.
Save the Children is excited to be the Charity Partner for mediterr année and look forward to working with Huw and the sponsors of the journey to maximise the funds raised by the project. Full details on the work carried out by Save The Children can be found HERE.
“On behalf of Save the Children Australia, I would like to wish Huw every success for his mediterr année expedition raising funds to support the work that we do. Work that ensures children affected by conflict, their families and communities not only survive, but also see a tomorrow where they can live without fear, without unnecessary suffering and with hope. We wish Huw all the very best and ask you to support him on this very ambitious and gruelling journey.”
Sponsors
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Paddy Pallin
mediterr année prime sponsor and Australia's best known adventure equipment outfitter with stores across the country. Huw actually was their marketing manager almost 25 years ago!
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Ex Officio
Brilliant travel and outdoor clothing that will see Huw through all the seasons.
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Australian Geographic Society
The Australian Geographic Society is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting adventure, science and the community.
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Princeton Tec
Princeton Tec - Huw has used Princeton Tec outdoor lights for over 15 years now, appreciating their reliability and brightness for long expeditions.
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Osprey Packs
Osprey - One of the world's most respected and innovative pack and travel brands. Huw will use Osprey packs whilst trekking, riding and skiing.
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World Expeditions
As Australia's original adventure travel company and now one of the world's leading adventure specialists, it's great to have World Expeditions supporting Huw's big Mediterranean adventure.
Supporters
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Reno Design
Reno Design is a graphic design and book design consultancy based in Sydney. Reno designed the perfect mediterr année logo and many other items for the project.
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Certton
Australian made, Sweatshop free, organic cotton T shirts and fabrics. Certton supplies merchandize for the mediterr année project.
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Wild Track
Italy based Wildtrack are a team of highly experienced outdoor professionals running biking/trekking tours who have worked with Huw on a number of projects. Wildtrack are Logistics Managers for mediterr année.
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Lake Crackenback Resort
Located beneath Australia's highest mountains in the Snowy Mountains; Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa is a natural winter and summer playground. Huw has had a long term relationship with the resort, running events and tours there.
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Expedition Kayaks
A great company dedicated to the needs of sea kayakers with a huge range of equipment and boats available.
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Via Alpina
Via Alpina is an innovative European project in which numerous organisations from the Alpine countries have come together to exchange experiences across borders. This is manifest in the Via Alpina trails crossing the entire Alps.
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Scarpa
Probably the world's best hiking, skiing and travel footwear. Huw hopes to visit their Italian HQ when trekking through the Alps.
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Nemo
Innovative, lightweight tents and sleeping mats which will hopefully ensure Huw gets plenty of quality rest for 12 months.
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Tiderace Kayaks
Huw is using a Pace 17 Tour from this UK based sea kayak brand (also available in Oz). This followed on from him using one of their boats for his circumnavigation of Corsica in 2013.
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Nikon
Huw has used Nikon cameras from long before the digital age! He will be using the new Nikon 1 AW1; the world's first compact camera with interchangeable lenses that can be used underwater.
About Huw
Huw Kingston, whilst claiming to be Welsh, was actually born in England, something for which he has never forgiven his Welsh parents! He moved to Australia in 1991 and at least now lives in Wales: southern New South 'Wales' with his wife Wendy. Huw has had a long interest and involvement in environmental issues as well as a passion for the great outdoors. He has spent over 30 years enjoying travelling by human powered means in wild places across the world. This included a longstanding love affair with the Indian Himalaya and journeys across it by ski and foot. In Australia, Huw completed the City2City project; 25,000km of walking, skiing, mountain biking, river and ocean kayaking linking each of Australia's State Capitals in a series of 7 journeys. Each journey followed the most interesting and challenging human powered route through mountains and deserts, along rivers and coasts. More details on City2City can be found here.
Huw has trekked, ridden and skied in many countries across the world including Mongolia,India, Timor, Pakistan, Uganda, Botswana and many more.
Huw has run Wild Horizons for the past 21 years ago. Wild Horizons is a multi facetted business with its common link being the outdoors. Wild Horizons run some of Australia's best known and most popular mountain biking events, organize cycling and ski tours and consult in various areas of the outdoor adventure world. Visit the Wild Horizons website here www.wildhorizons.com.au
Huw is a regular contributor to a range of magazines in Australia and elsewhere on outdoor topics. He has also been a copywriter for a large number of catalogues and brochures primarily in the outdoor adventure world and is a member of the Australian Society of Travel Writers.
In the environmental arena Huw's strong belief in real action as a driver of change led him to bring about a number of successful initiatives. In 1991 he conceived and launched 'Don't Bag The Environment' at Paddy Pallin outdoor stores. This initiative, still going 20 years later, saw 10 cents put towards a selection of environment campaigns each time a customer refused a bag for their purchases. He made The Highland Fling (an annual mountain bike marathon event attracting some 2000 riders) into Australia's first Carbon Neutral cycling event and first bottled water free event.
In 2009 he was the initiator of Bundy on Tap, making his small home town of Bundanoon, Australia's (indeed the world's) First Bottled Water Free Town. This created huge worldwide interest with the media across the world picking up the story. Bundy on Tap in turn has led many individuals and communities to question the madness of bottled water and to look at turning back to the tap.
Huw has received a number of awards including being named one of Time Magazine's 25 Worldwide Responsibility Pioneers and the 2009 news.com.au Green Hero. In 2010 Huw was awarded the Sharing Citizen prize, judged by a grouping of European Cultural Organizations promoted by the Council of Europe and in 2011 he was awarded the Peter Rawlinson Award from the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) which recognizes outstanding contribution to the environment.