The Mission 29 year old Angelo Wilkie-Pages mission is to become the first person to circumnavigate the globe from East to West and Pole to Pole, crossing all major lines of latitude and longitude, using only human power, i.e. no motors, no sails, no solar.
This journey will take a period of 6 years, and will be a first of its kind - the holy grail of human powered circumnavigation. Not only will this be the ultimate test of human endurance and will-power, further- more Wilkie-Page will be using this non-profit experience as a platform for numerous grass-roots initiatives that will raise global awareness on important environmental issues. The Purpose Expedition 720 Affiliated With Heifer International At Expedition 720, we have joined forces with Heifer International South Africa because of their exemplary vision and reach around the world. We aim to join as many of the various Heifer International projects en-route, around the world as possible, thereby taking an active step in contributing to their global vision of alleviating poverty and hunger. Heifer not only provides needy families and communities with skills and resources to better their own lives, but also instils a sense of community and accountability with its Passing the Gift charity model.
This unparalleled grass-roots level of involvement simultaneously inspires change while tangibly making a difference in the lives of all those it touches, principles we at Expedition 720 share. The Outcomes During Expedition 720, one of our primary aims is to promote project awareness for Heifer International South Africa, simultaneously raising funds for their various rural development initiatives around South Africa. We will achieve this by working extensively with corporate and private sponsorships on a national and international level, as well as constant updates and publicity maintenance via prominent social media including Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, blogging and live video correspondence. While setting out to achieve a true world first, and in doing so break 4 Guinness World Records, Expedition 720 aims to improve the quality of life in impoverished communities, thereby making the world a better place, one kilometre at a time. Through integrating the singular skills and expertise of specialists in the field of endurance exploration and adventure, Expedition 720 will be able to cultivate this unprecedented challenge of human strength and determination. Furthermore, we will endeavour to consistently demonstrate our vision of minimal consumption and environmental impact, in accordance with our ideals here at Expedition 720. The Route The Route is broken up into 2 parts, the first part is the traditional East to West circumnavigation and the second part the ultimate challenge: the Pole to Pole circumnavigation. Each part will be broken up into 4 separate legs. Angelo will be crossing all lines of longitude and latitude, 4 Antipodal points and cross the equator at 4 separate points, as specified by the The Guinness World Records and Explorers Web regulations. This expedition will be an attempt to break 4 of the current world records. Records Attempts To break the current world record for East to West Human Powered Circumnavigation, set by Erden Eruc over 5 years. To be the first to complete a Pole to Pole circumnavigation, crossing 4 antipodal points and 4 Equator crossings.
Be the first person to complete both East to West and Pole-to Pole circumnavigations all under human power. A Few Facts Expedition 720 will take place on 7 continents Across more than 48 countries A total distance of around 115 000 kilometres Row and paddle 4 oceans and 9 Seas Cross 6 deserts including 5 of the worlds biggest deserts The First Leg The First Leg will start in Los Angeles, California on the 15th of June 2014. It will be a 5650 km cycle taking Angelo up the West coast of North America via San Francsico, Portland, and Seattle. Crossing the border into Canada via the city of Vancouver and entering into the beautiful nature reserves of British Columbia, Wilkie-Page will then enter the Yukon towards Whitehorse and finally into Alaska and finishing off in Anchorage. Some of the challenges Angelo will face on the first leg include trucks and cars. Along the first leg, Wilkie-Page has designed the route to avoid most primary roads which only allow transport by car and truck.
While using roads with motor-transport will be unavoidable in instances where these roads are the only option, the vast majority of movement will be cycled using secondary and Jeep roads.. Angelo will face extreme temperatures in Canada and Alaska as low as minus 20C, as one can see on the chart on the right. Brown Bears, Black Bears, and Polar Bears will also be of concern in British Columbia in Canada as well as in Alaska. With regards to the vital element of communication, Wilkie-Page will be equipped with the V3 Professional Yellowbrick tracking system and two-way messenger device, which uses the Iridium Satellite network to transmit its location from anywhere in the world, including both poles. This will allow Expedition 720s followers access to live tracking via the Yellowbrick website, Expedition 720 web-page and selected social media sites. The tracker will send hourly updates, showing location and blog updates.