Team from Secret Compass Expeditions Successfully Complete World First Trek Across Madagascar

London, United Kingdom, June 02, 2012 --(PR.com)-- The team had to battle a range of difficulties and challenges along the 280km route. These included a beating sun, unpredictable wildlife (crocodiles, snakes and forest rats ate a team members backpack) and impenetrable forest. On their approach to Mount Maromokotro the team had to battle through unexplored rainforest for five tough days, at times only managing to travel 6km day.

Lev Wood, a former Parachute Regiment Captain and expedition leader, said of the journey, “It was a real challenge physically, the distance we covered, 280km in 19 days, over incredibly tough terrain and in severe heat, was immense. Over the route we climbed and lost 6654 vertical meters, so it was not flat! At times we were hacking through the jungle and wading armpit deep through rivers every 200m. I am incredibly proud of the team for this is an awesome achievement.”

There were some real highlights along the way. The team encountered Lemurs which Madagascar is famous for. They also travelled through remote villages which have never seen Westerners before and enjoyed the hospitality of inquisitive and friendly local people.

“The highlight for me was reaching the summit of Maramokotro, Madagascar’s highest peak,” said team member Ali Wilde. “It was a true achievement to come all this way and to stand at the top of Madagascar was amazing and we knew it was downhill all the way to the coast!”

This was not just a British venture, team members from Canada, the US, Egypt and Australia were involved in this world first. The team is now enjoying some well earned rest on Madagascar’s stunning coast, where they can rest sore limbs and get blisters treated. Congratulations team.

Editors Notes: Secret Compass is a pioneering expeditionary company. Set up by ex-Parachute Regiment officers, it conducts exploratory expeditions for small teams to remote regions. All expeditions are unique and take clients to the world’s last undiscovered frontiers. For more information on the Madagascar expedition visit the blog here, and to see other awe inspiring expeditions visit www.secretcompass.com.